Action urged after murder accused starved to death

Officials need to take more action when prisoners refuse food and drink, a coroner has concluded, after a 78-year-old man, charged with murder, starved himself and died.

Surendra Patel, of Aqua Place, Rugby, Warwickshire, died at the Alexandra Hospital, Redditch, on 31 October 2024, after he was admitted with an acute kidney injury.

A prevention of future deaths report detailed how he stopped eating between 21 and 26 October and lost a fifth of his body weight, following his arrest.

The assistant coroner for Worcestershire, James Puzey, wrote in his report that healthcare and prison staff lacked awareness of a food refusal policy.

He recorded Patel's death as being from natural causes, contributed to by self-neglect through malnutrition.

The 78-year-old was arrested after a woman, also in her 70s, was found at a home in Aqua Place on 8 October 2024.

Following the 78-tear-old's death, a prevention of future deaths report was commissioned after the inquest concluded on 10 March.

The document is issued by a coroner in England and Wales when an investigation reveals that action should be taken to prevent further, avoidable deaths.

In his report, Puzey said healthcare staff failed to recognise the following:

• That a mental capacity assessment was required as soon as food refusal began
• To consider hospital transfer for prisoners severely weakened by weight loss
• To expedite full medical assessment by a senior healthcare professional
• To consider and advocate for family contact

He added that prison staff also failed to recognise the following:

• Not informing next of kin of the prisoner's decision to refuse food or fluids
• Not asking the prisoner whether such information should be shared

The report was sent to the Practice Plus Group, the Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, the government's Legal Department and two others whose information was redacted in the report.

Puzey concluded by writing: "In my opinion, action should be taken to prevent future deaths and you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action."

The recipients have until 5 May to respond to his recommendations.

The BBC has contacted the Ministry of Justice and the Worcestershire Acute Hospitals NHS Trust for their response to the report.

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