Was woman left dying for week?
EXCLUSIVE
by Lynn Cox
A woman aged 90 died after allegedly going undiscovered for up
to a week while seriously injured in her sheltered housing
bungalow.
Hilda Millar is understood to have fallen at her
warden-patrolled home in Greenfield Close, Wainscott.
Support workers are supposed to check on residents at the mhs
homes complex three times a week.
But Mrs Millar is said to have gone unchecked until she was
found by her son in a serious condition.
An ambulance was called, but Mrs Millar died in hospital a day
later.
Her son is now understood to have made an official complaint to
the coroner about the alleged lack of care she received.
Housing association mhs homes said it is "very concerned" about
the incident and has launched a review.
Mrs Millar's death has sent shockwaves through the estate.
One woman said: "We've had people from mhs around almost every
day since it happened - we hardly ever saw them before.
"I didn't know her, but understand she was not found for quite a
few days. It's caused a bit of a stir round here."
Mrs Millar was last seen by her son on December 27. But seven
days later, on January 3, he called at her home to discover her
seriously injured and she died later.
A Mid Kent and Medway coroners office spokesman confirmed an
inquest into her death is due to be held later.
The Greenfield Close complex has not had an on-site manager for
several years.
But it is supposed to be monitored by mhs homes support
officers, who work from 8.30am to 4.30pm, Monday to Friday.
The housing association's website says they carry out "head
checks" on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays to check on the
wellbeing of residents.
Each bungalow has a 24-hour life-line service, which residents
can activate by pulling a cord.
mhs homes operations director Caroline Proverbs said: "We are
very concerned about the circumstances surrounding the sad death of
Mrs Millar and we convey our sincere condolences to her family and
friends.
"We have been advised by the coroner that they will be holding
an inquest and we are therefore not in a position to make any
further comments at this stage.
"As you would expect in a situation like this we have carried
out a review of our service to ensure it continues to meet the
needs of our residents."
Medway Police has been told about the incident, but said it is
not investigating.
Did you know Hilda Millar? Leave your comments below.
25/02/11
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