Somerset agencies failed man with brain injury

A Somerset man who took his own life after suffering a traumatic brain injury was repeatedly failed by agencies who had the responsibility to protect and support him.

Dave Alsbury from Taunton died in 2014 when the brain injury he suffered earlier in his life left him with mental and physical health issues.

A serious case review commissioned by the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board has found serious lessons must be learned by health and social care organisations.

Dave Alsbury was 43 when he died more than twenty years on from the road traffic incident which left him with a traumatic brain injury.

The review found he had been let down by multiple agencies who failed to provide a service despite the fact he was depressed, could not sleep, abused alcohol and drugs and had expressed his intention to take his own life.

It also found concerns raised by his family about his care had not been properly addressed and agencies had not worked together to treat him.

His sister today said the family knew it was only a matter of time before he killed himself.

Responding to the findings, the Independent Chairman of the Somerset Safeguarding Adults Board - a partnership including Somerset County Council, Avon & Somerset Constabulary and the Clinical Commissioning Group - admitted they should have done better for Dave:

Somerset County Council said it accepted the findings and said improvements had now been made.

The charity Headway has criticised agencies for failing to coordinate their support for Dave.

The Chief Executive of the charity Peter McCabe, said there had been no clearly identified lead in his care and going forward people with serious head injuries needed better protection in their care.

He said: