Man Chokes to Death at Rustington Retirement Home, Inquest Finds

An inquest revealed that a man choked to death on food at a West Sussex retirement home, prompting concerns from the coroner.

Alan Lee, 76, died at Abbotswood retirement home in Rustington, near Littlehampton, last December after choking on his dinner. Despite using an alarm to alert staff, no life-saving techniques were attempted, according to the Prevention of Future Deaths report (PFD) by Penelope Schofield, senior coroner for West Sussex, Brighton, and Hove.

The report, published on June 6, highlighted that staff did not consider the possibility that Mr Lee was choking, which led to no immediate intervention.

Ms Schofield has urged Saxon Weald, the company that owns the retirement home, to take action to prevent future deaths. Saxon Weald’s Chief Executive, Steven Dennis, expressed sadness over Mr Lee’s death and stated that the care at Abbotswood is provided by Care Outlook, commissioned by West Sussex County Council.

The council has been in contact with Care Outlook to discuss steps to address the coroner’s concerns and improve response protocols in similar situations. The coroner’s report has mandated Saxon Weald to respond within 56 days.