The body of a vulnerable man was discovered in his flat weeks after he was discharged from NHS care, prompting a formal investigation into his tragic death.
Dezi Freeman, 58, was found at his home in Derby on September 20th. Concerns had been raised after he failed to collect his prescribed medication, leading to the grim discovery.
His death has sparked serious questions for local health authorities, as Mr. Freeman had been a patient at the Radbourne Unit, run by the Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, just weeks before he died.
A Life Cut Short
An inquest into Mr. Freeman's death was opened and adjourned at Southern Derbyshire Coroner's Court on October 3rd. The court heard that the cause of his sudden passing is still unknown, awaiting the results of a post-mortem examination.
His grieving sister, Maxine Smith, did not mince words, telling The Derby Telegraph her brother had been "let down by the system". She described him as a "kind and loving man" who had become "the forgotten man" after being discharged.
System Failure?
This case has cast a harsh spotlight on the community mental health care system. The circumstances suggest a potential catastrophic breakdown in aftercare for a vulnerable individual deemed well enough to leave inpatient treatment.
A spokesperson for Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust confirmed they are conducting a thorough review: "We were saddened to hear about the death of Dezi Freeman and would like to offer our sincere condolences to his family and friends... We will undertake a review of his care and will share the findings with the coroner."
The full inquest, which will examine the precise circumstances leading to Mr. Freeman's death, is scheduled to be completed by May 30th, 2024.
