It's none of your business: What Age Concern told neighbour who phoned fearing for old couple later found dead in their home

Published 13th Jan 2010

A woman who spent weeks desperately trying to arrange help for her elderly neighbours before they were found dead in their freezing home was told by Age Concern: 'It's got nothing to do with you.'

Heather Footitt took action after Derek Randall, 76, begged her for assistance because he could no longer look after his wheelchair-bound wife Jean, 79.

But when Mrs Footitt contacted the Age Concern helpline to explain her neighbours' plight, she was told she should not intervene because she was not a relative.

'I said "Do you want me to call you when there's two dead bodies" and she said again "It's nothing to do with you",' said the 73-year-old yesterday.

'I then told her I was going to phone the newspapers and she said "If that's what you want to do, then do it".

'I was crying when I came off the phone as I was so frustrated with her attitude.'

The accusation against Britain's largest charity for the elderly emerged as Northamptonshire County Council claimed the Randalls had been visited by health and social services staff throughout December and beforehand.

But the Randalls' niece, Julie Young, 62, said: 'It is disgusting no one came to check on them and just left them to die in the freezing cold weather.

'Derek and Jean were reclusive but that is no excuse for social services neglecting them, because that is exactly what they did. They should be ashamed of themselves.

'Northampton County Council and the social services department have blood on their hands.'

The Daily Mail has highlighted repeatedly the neglect of older people in its Dignity for the Elderly campaign.

Mr Randall, whose body was discovered lying in the hallway, is believed to have died first.

His wife - without anyone to care for her - died in bed. Mrs Randall was an only child and husband, one of nine children, was rarely in contact with his three surviving siblings.

Mrs Footitt added that she had contacted social services, the council's care management team and Age Concern two or three times a week in December.

Gloria Augustine, a neighbour, told ITV News last night she had also contacted the council about Mr and Mrs Randall: 'I called and was told that because I'm not related, there was nothing they could do. They acted like "go away".'

Andrew Harrop, head of public policy at Age Concern, said: 'We are investigating this matter urgently. If there is a need to improve our processes this will be actioned immediately.'

Northampton North MP Sally Keeble, who contacted the county council about the Randalls on December 21, raised the matter with Health Minister Mike O'Brien in Parliament yesterday. He said he would ensure there was a full investigation.

Robin Brown, county councillor in charge of health and adult social services, announced that a serious case review will be launched by Northamptonshire Safeguarding Adults Board.

He added: 'The county's key organisations were speaking with and visiting Mr and Mrs Randall throughout December and indeed on a regular basis beforehand.'

The council refused to give any more detail about the dates and durations of the calls and visits, saying this might prejudice the inquiry. Post-mortem examinations are being carried out.

Source: ' Daily Mail '

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