Double amputee living in Greenock flat slams social work delays

Cancer-stricken paraplegic Danile Campbell - who lost his legs in an 85ft bridge plunge suicide bid following the death of his brother - says that repeated delays in assessing him for a better home and proper care have left him on the brink of another attempt on his life.

Mr Campbell - who receives no personal care from Inverclyde Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP) - told the Telegraph that he has been left waiting several months for an assessment following his diagnosis for Hodgkin lymphoma.

His Gael Street flat is strewn with broken glass, blood-stained bandages and waste.

The wheelchair user has great difficulty completing basic tasks such as washing himself, cooking and taking out his bins, which means he struggles to maintain his already-filthy home. 

Mr Campbell, 45, who has been told by doctors that he only has five years at most left to live, says he hates the throught of spending his dying days in the disgusting property.

He said: “Every day I wake up and I just don’t want to be in this house.

“I need care and I need help, this place isn’t fit for a dog.

“When you wake up every day in your own dirt it takes its toll on you, I get upset about it.

“If I don’t get out of this mess, I will do myself in. I know it.

“I’ve been put through hell, it’s worse than hell. Hell would be a break from this.

“I don’t have anyone giving me personal care to help me do things like getting in the shower or cook.

“It’s all glass everywhere in the kitchen because I keep dropping stuff and my legs are scalded from dropping hot water on myself.

“I had compartment syndrome in my right arm which has weakened it, that makes it quite hard for me to wheel my wheelchair.

“I’ve also not got help getting fed and I can’t empty the bin bags in my house because it needs two hands.”

Mr Campbell was left paraplegic after a suicide attempt two decades ago, with infections also claiming the lower parts of both of his legs.

He told the Telegraph that he has been waiting almost half-a-year for social workers to help him move forward with getting a care package in place or finding a new home.

He added: “They told me about five months ago they were doing assessments and they said that would take about three months.

“I’ve got terminal cancer and I’m getting worse all the time, so the assessments will end up being pointless if they take so long.

“I have grade four pressure sores, well they’re actually ungradeable now.

“They’re on the side of my legs now as well, sometimes I can’t even get out my chair or I’m stuck to it.

“I need help to get out of this street and get into supported living or something.”

Mr Campbell fears that as his condition continues to deteriorate, he will become less and less able to care for himself and the flat.

He said: “I shouldn’t be in this hell-hole, I’ve just been abandoned here.”

“I don’t know how long I can keep going in a place like this."

An Inverclyde HSCP spokesperson said: “It would be inappropriate to comment on an individual’s personal circumstances.

“However, we assess each service user’s needs individually and work closely with them and alongside relevant partners, including housing associations, to ensure service users receive the best possible care and support to meet their needs.

“If circumstances change or a service user is not satisfied with the existing support they are receiving we will carry out a review and endeavour to make changes as necessary.

“The wellbeing of our service users is our number one priority and staff work hard under challenging circumstances to ensure the needs and demands of our service users are met within the resources that are available.

“If anyone is dissatisfied with the care they are receiving, they should contact us directly without delay to ensure a review is carried out.”

A River Clyde Homes spokesperson said: "Our housing officer is continuing to support Mr Campbell, and we remain in contact with all other agencies involved to resolve the situation."