Abstract
At one time, carers could legitimately claim to be ‘ignored and invisible’.1 Now it seems that carers' rights are a hot political issue and the carer is likely to feature prominently in the forthcoming general election. Although carers' rights might have begun to enter the political and legal consciousness, the duties of carers have not. R (Jenkins) v HM Coroner for Portsmouth and South East Hampshire and Cameron and Finn concerned an appeal against the findings of a coroner. The coroner had returned a narrative verdict on the death of Russell Jenkins which set out the facts as follows: In late December 2006 Russell Anthony Neal Jenkins stepped on a plug of an electrical appliance in his home, injuring his left foot. He developed an infection in the wound of his foot which did not resolve itself and developed ultimately into gangrene. His condition deteriorated, particularly so in the last few days and hours of his life and, on 16 April 2007, he lapsed into an unconscious state and died during the night of 16/17 April 2007 at his home. At no stage following the injury to his foot did Russell Jenkins or anyone else on his behalf seek to obtain conventional medical advice or treatment for his condition. In consequence, Russell Jenkins' condition was inappropriately and ineffectively treated by himself and by others and this led to his death.2
Published Version
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