Essex censured over withdrawal of services

Essex Council has been criticised by the local government
ombudsman for withdrawing a “putting to bed service” for a
90-year-old man suffering with Parkinson’s Disease. It gave staff
shortages as the reason.

Ombudsman Jerry White said the council had “fettered its
discretion” by not considering to make an exception to the policy
of not paying travel costs to staff above the flat rate fee for the
service.

The man died following the service withdrawal.

White found maladministration causing injustice and recommended
the council pay £500 and put arrangements in place to ensure
the situation did not recur.