Concerns ‘were ignored’ over deaths

CORNWALL’S chief coroner revealed in an inquest – where questions were raised about health services in Cornwall – that the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care has not replied to his concerns about a series of deaths in the Duchy.

Andrew Cox wrote to Health Secretary Steve Barclay in November demanding action was taken to prevent further deaths in the county after the deaths of four people raised concerns about the ongoing health crisis in Cornwall.

Mr Cox told Mr Barclay: “My enquiries and the inquests that have been conducted have revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths will occur unless action is taken.”

His stark warning came after inquests into the deaths of 87-year-old RAF veteran David Morganti, from the St Austell area, Winnie Barnes-Weeks, 90, of Hayle, Bob Conybeare, 83, a former teacher at Humphry Davy School in Penzance, and tourist Tony Reedman, 54.

This week, during the inquest into the death of 20-year-old Caitlin Mack (see story, right), Mr Cox revealed that he has yet to hear from Mr Barclay, despite his urgent request. He said: “One of the features of being the coroner in Cornwall over the last few months is that I’ve seen a number of deaths that have resulted from delays in ambulance arrival or admission into the only acute hospital we have. Following four inquests, I wrote to Mr Barclay, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, before Christmas and he was due to reply by January 10 this year and he has not replied.”

Caitlin was found dead in a derelict house in Camborne in August 2021. She had died from mixed-drug toxicity. A two-day inquest heard that in the first half of 2021 Caitlin was referred to Cornwall Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s community mental health team on a number of occasions, but no treatment was given.

Mr Cox said: “It is possible that if mental health support had been provided in the first half of 2021 along with suitable long-term accommodation near her family her death could have been avoided.”

Mr Barclay’s office and the Department of Health and Social Care have been contacted for a response.