Hearing to Examine Circumstances Surrounding How 56 Year-old Man Died

The devastated family of a care home resident who died from suspected Legionnaires’ disease have revealed their hope that an upcoming inquest will end their 16 month wait for answers regarding his death.

Andy Clegg died nearly two weeks after he was admitted to Salisbury District Hospital from Fordingbridge Care Home in Hampshire. He had been diagnosed with Legionella Pneumonia, a complication arising from the Legionella bacteria.

Andy’s family are now hoping that an inquest examining the circumstances of how he died will finally provide them with answers.

The family will be supported during the four-day hearing by specialist Public Health lawyers at Irwin Mitchell who have notably represented victims of Legionnaires’ disease following high-profile outbreaks in Stoke-on-Trent, Edinburgh, Shropshire and hotels abroad.

Expert Opinion

“While it is only correct that a thorough investigation to establish all the facts surrounding Andy’s death needed to take place, not knowing the full picture has caused a great deal of anguish for his family as they have attempted to try and come to terms with what happened.

“The family rightly have a number of serious concerns regarding Andy’s death and if anything could have been done to prevent it. Setting a date for the inquest is a major step forward in their wish to find out the vital information they want.

“Through our work we are sadly all too aware of the devastating consequences of Legionnaires’ disease. But there are strict guidelines in place to help control the development of legionella bacteria and we hope the hearing will investigate all possibilities for the source of the disease.

“If the inquest identifies any failings in public health measures, it is vital that lessons are learned and improvements made so other families don’t have to suffer the heartbreak that Andy’s have experienced following his death.” Jatinder Paul - Partner

Find out more about Irwin Mitchell's expertise in handling public health cases 

Andy lived in Southampton but moved to Fordingbridge Care Home, near Salisbury, in April 2017 to receive help for mental health difficulties. The home is run by Sentinel Healthcare.

He was admitted to Salisbury General Hospital on 24 October, 2017, and was placed on a ventilator in intensive care on 26 October. He was transferred to a ward on 3 November but continued to have respiratory difficulties. Andy sadly died two days later.

Following his death Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission, and Hampshire County Council launched investigations as to the source of Legionnaires’ disease bacteria that Andy contracted.

Andy’s sister Joanne Denyer, 55, of Southampton, said: “There’s not a day goes by where we don’t miss Andy. He was such a huge part of our family and we have been left devastated and angry by his death.

“While time has moved on our family hasn’t. It is still so painful to think of Andy and the suffering he was in during the final days of his life. Not knowing the full reasons why he died just adds to our hurt”.

Andy’s brother, Matt, 48 also of Southampton, added: “We know the inquest and listening to the evidence as to why Andy died is going to be incredibly distressing but we want to honour Andy’s memory by getting the answers to the many questions we have.”

An inquest into Andy’s death is due to start at Salisbury Coroner’s Court on Monday, 25 March, and is listed for four days.