Dundee’s most experienced councillor and former champion for the elderly, Bailie Ian Borthwick, has called for a review of staffing at city council sheltered housing units following the death of a resident in Broughty Ferry recently.
The 67-year-old man was found dead in his supported accommodation at Forthill Sheltered Housing on November 29.
The Courier revealed the incident after a source said it was believed the man had been dead for around five days before his body was discovered and claimed understaffing due to cutbacks had led to the delay in finding him.
Mr Borthwick, a former advocacy officer with Age Concern Dundee, says since the article appeared other sheltered housing staff had approached him with their concerns at “changed” levels of support for residents at complexes.
He said the circumstances surrounding the man’s death, if true, gave rise to “considerable concerns”.
“I am anxious to ascertain if this is a consequence of any cutbacks made by the council to the sheltered housing wardens service.”
Both Police Scotland and Dundee City Council confirmed the death and the police said there were no suspicious circumstances, although as with all sudden deaths, a report has been submitted to the procurator fiscal.
Mr Borthwick has now called on the council’s chief executive, David Dorward, to hold a review of the service and report back to councillors.
He said: “I refer to the newspaper reports regarding the tragedy that occurred at Forthill Sheltered Housing.
“I am aware that inquiries are under way by housing and the appropriate authority.
“Since this was reported, I have had representations from another sheltered housing complex expressing concern at the level of warden support, etc., that has changed over recent months.
“Could you advise me whether a detailed report will be received by elected members when investigations have been completed and it seems to me to be appropriate that a review be taken regarding the level of support in all sheltered housing in the city?
“As you will be aware, there is increasing frailty of residents in sheltered housing.”
A Dundee City Council spokesman said: “The chief executive will respond directly to Bailie Borthwick in due course.”