Miriam Smith-Cox

After presiding over the inquest into the death of Ms Miriam Joyce Smith-Cox at 12.00 noon on 20th July 2015 at Truro Municipal Buildings, Truro

Miriam Smith-Cox was found dead at around 14.10 pm on the 4th March 2015 at , Newlyn, Penzance. She was found lying on her back on the stairs leading to the front door with a significant head injury. She was last known to be alive at around 17.00 pm on 3rd of March 2015. She was a large lady (BMI 55) who lived in squalid conditions. She was known to Social Service and the Housing Association and her GP to self-neglect. She suffered from mild learning difficulties although not formally diagnosed. On that day her cat was to be taken to the vet/foster placement prior to Ms Smith-Cox being placed in a respite/rehabilitation placement in a Residential Home while her flat was cleaned and decluttered. She had been referred to the Pluss Work Choice Programme in August 2014 by the Disability Employment Advisor for the Job Centre Plus having been on benefits for many years. She was assessed as having psycho/social issues at that time which prevented her from accessing

Information Classification: CONTROLLED the work place. During the assessment by Pluss Work Choice, Programme safeguarding concerns were raised by the Employment Team manager to Social Services in December 2014 with regards to the suitability and state of her accommodation which was not acknowledged or acted upon for unknown reasons. It was not clear the extent that neglect/self-neglect played a part in the death as the reason for her fall down the stairs was not established the cause of death was due to the injuries consistent with her fall down stairs.

To review your safeguarding adult procedures (in particular how concerns are logged, processed and dealt with) and provide me with reassurance that lessons have been learnt with the view to avoiding future deaths.