A VERDICT of suicide was recorded at an inquest into the death of a 92-year-old man found hanging at his home in Port Road.
The pensioner, Eastbourne Magistrates Court heard, had wanted to be taken to a nursing home but that day was told he may not be able to go.
Joffre Godwin, a widower with no children, lived alone and had had several health problems, including a che
st infection and urinary tract infection. He had trouble swallowing and little appetite.
His niece, Barbara Tingley, said he had been a fit man able to live at home but suddenly felt unable to cope.
Mrs Tingley, who saw her uncle most days, said he told her he did not feel well, was lonely, tired and frightened of being on his own.
Four days before he died, she said, "He was very distressed on the phone.
"He was shouting, saying he wanted me to get the doctor to help him die, or could I help him.
"When I explained I couldn't do that he said, 'If you don't do it for me, I will do it myself'."
On Friday January 25, Mrs Tingley called the adult social care team at East Sussex County Council.
She informed them of her uncle's depressed state and asked for him to be found a place in a care home immediately.
She was told she would be called back on the Monday, after the weekend. Mr Godwin began packing, believing he would move into a nursing home on the Monday, although Mrs Tingley admitted she was not told this.
On Monday, Lisa Ferguson from the adult social care team telephoned Mrs Tingley. Ms Ferguson said she told her her uncle would need an assessment and she could not guarantee this would result in him entering residential care.
She had first rung Mr Godwin to say the same thing.
Mrs Tingley claimed she had warned the social care team about her uncle's suicidal thoughts and depression and asked for him not to be contacted directly but Ms Ferguson said this was not the case.
That afternoon, Mrs Tingley and her daughter went to her uncle's home and found him hanging by his dressing gown cord from the banisters.
Mrs Tingley said she felt let down by social services, which she felt could have handled the situation better.
Alan Craze suggested Mr Godwin should have been offered respite care — a week away from home with professional care — straight away.
He said to Lisa Ferguson, "Mr Godwin had got himself into a belief that he would be moving that Monday and indicated he wanted to go somewhere to be looked after.
"Your response to that effectively was, do not raise your hopes."
Ms Ferguson said it was her professional duty to be clear and transparent and said she did not believe Mr Godwin would have qualified for residential care, his need being 'substantial' rather than 'critical'.
