Man with Down’s Syndrome died ‘after 10 days in hospital without food’
A MAN with Down Syndrome died days after his family raised concerns about him not being fed in hospital, an inquest heard. The family of Giuseppe "Joe" Ulleri believe he went 10 days without being fed during his stay at Manchester Royal Infirmary. He died there from pneumonia in March 2016 after struggling to ingest food through a tube, inquest jurors were told.
Coroner Angharad Davies said the 61-year-old's condition meant he had difficulty communicating and could not take care of himself.
Mr Ulleri, from Manchester, was being treated at the hospital following a fall.
Miss Davies said that, due to the risk of potential pulmonary aspiration, Mr Ulleri was made nil by mouth for part of his stay and had a tube running through his nose into his stomach.
But Miss Davies said the tube only stayed in place for a day, as Mr Ulleri struggled to use it and felt uncomfortable with it.
Miss Davies said: "Joe had long periods of time when he had no nutritional support when he stayed in hospital and for a long period the only nutrition he had was that 24 hours when the tube was in place."
Mr Ulleri's brother Peter said he believed his condition deteriorated due to a lack of nutrition.
Sister Christine O'Grady, who worked for Mr Ulleri's carers L'Arche, said she had "grave concern" over lack of pain relief.
She said she told a staff member: "I'll be seeing you in court."
The inquest continues.