A bereaved family were distraught when a carer arrived on their doorstep to look after the man of the house - the day after he died.

David Thorpe, 62, of Hatley Gardens, Benfleet, suffered from PSP, an illness linked to Parkinson's Disease, and was visited on a daily basis by carers who washed and cared for him.

Upset - for daughter Linda and wife Sylvia Thorpe after a carer called to visit David Thorpe, inset, who had died Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL

His wife Sylvia contacted Highfields - contractors working for Essex County Council social services - to let staff know when her husband was going to have a fortnight's respite care.

But, he died before he returned home.

Daughter Linda, 38, said: "He passed away on the Friday and my mum went out of her way to phone Highfields and tell them.

"The lady she spoke to asked my mum if we would let them know when the funeral was because some of the carers may have wanted to come.

"At 8.15am on the Saturday the bell went and it was someone from Highfields who had come to look after him. This made me very upset."

The carer phoned his organisers to let them know and Linda's mother called the co-ordinator to find out what was going on.

Linda said: "The lady said it was a genuine mistake, but normally in these circumstances people say things like they are very sorry to hear about it. There was no compassion."

An Essex County Council spokesman said: "Although we can confirm the family contacted social services, Highfields, the contractor which provides the care service, can trace no record of a conversation with the family.

"This is very regrettable and we are very sorry for the anxiety and the distress it caused to the family.

"The issue is being taken up with the contractors to ensure nothing like this happens again."

Published Thursday, May 29, 2003

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