Coroner calls for answers after man transferred from care home dies from thirst and hunger

A coroner has launched a probe after a patient died from thirst and hunger after leaving a Tameside care home.

James Astley died at Tameside Hospital in January. He was admitted from Downshaw Lodge care home in Ashton.

An inquest into his death last month revealed he died from 'dehydration and poor nutritional status'.

Now Alison Mutch, the senior coroner for South Manchester, has written to the care home and health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) expressing concerns about how Mr Astley died.

Mr Astley had dementia and was immobile. In December he was unable to swallow food and became more frail, said Ms Mutch.

He was given antibiotics on January 2, but continued to deteriorate and the following day he was seen by a GP and admitted to Tameside Hospital.

Despite treatment, his condition worsened and he died at the hospital on January 22.

In a report to prevent future deaths, the coroner said: "The inquest heard evidence that Mr Astley was at significant risk due to poor nutrition and fluid intake. However, the Malnutrition Universal Screening Tool (MUST) documentation was not correctly completed and the overall quality of fluid and nutrition charts was poor.

"As a consequence, he became increasingly frail and the risk to his overall wellbeing and physiological reserves continued.

"Overall, documentation at the home was limited and lacked details."

The home and the CQC have until November 5 to respond.