TRAGIC deaths of two vulnerable people have been investigated after it was found there were failings from care services set up to protect people in Wiltshire. One woman died despite paramedics raising alarm bells during a visit to her home.

She was taken to hospital in December 2015 following their concerns, but she was discharged and returned back home. Paramedics were called out again just weeks later to find her at home in a dark, cold flat. She died just one day later in hospital.

Doctors confirmed at the time of her death she was suffering from hypothermia, broncho-pneumonia, diabetes, kidney disease and dementia.

She had been assessed by adult social care in the years leading to her death and was described by family as living an isolated life after her husband died. She had no children.

The coroner said poor communication between teams and specialists meant there was not the right continuity of care once she returned from hospital.

The coroner added there was inadequate staff training and ruled she would not have died if she had been correctly discharged.

A man, called Adult B, with alzheimer’s died after being hit by a car while out walking. Delays to assessments and a lack of funding for his care meant Adult B did not access support correctly, the Safeguarding Adult Review found. The retired postman, 74, lived in an independent living shelter and regularly was found out on walks. In 2016 a friend found him walking in the middle of the road carrying his washing and he was taken home. The incident was referred to authorities but it was not accepted as a safeguarding matter.

As his alzheimer’s worsened he was found out partially dressed at a military base and after police were called to take him home, the amount of care he received increased. However he continued to spend a lot of time out walking, and missed regular carer visits. In November 2016 he was hit by a car while walking alone at night, and died of his injuries.

The report found he was only able to have “limited monitoring and care” and said delays “led to a lack of risk assessment” for problems he might experience. The report concluded: “There was no robust plan of care in place that could have been shared and understood by all of those involved. This then did not prompt risk assessments which were vital to keep Adult B safe.”

Wiltshire Safeguarding Adults Board published both Safeguarding Adults Reviews.