A SEXUAL predator who died after being diagnosed with cancer did not receive adequate care in prison, according to a new report.

David Kendall, 55, died on July 24, 2020 of lung cancer at HMP Frankland, Durham.

Kendall was given a prison sentence in 2008 for sexual offences, with a minimum tariff of six years.

A report published last week by the Prisons and Probation Ombudsman, found that care that Kendall received at HMP Frankland after his cancer diagnosis was not wholly of the required standard.

The inspectors said it was, in parts, not equivalent to that which he could have expected to receive in the community.

He was first diagnosed after it was recorded he had abdominal tenderness, weight loss and iron deficiency, as well as tremor in his hands.

On October 9, 2019, the prisoner had a chest x-ray.

The results showed that he needed an urgent CT scan and in November he was told he had lung cancer after further tests.

Through December staff noted issues with his memory and signs of confusion.

Healthcare staff and prison staff decided that for his safety he should be moved to the prison’s healthcare unit.

Staff acknowledged that because of his memory loss and confusion a referral to adult social care was needed.

A meeting was held on December 30 and it was concluded that Kendall did have the mental capacity to make decisions about his care and treatment.

It was agreed that he could return to A Wing with residential support assistant (RSA) care, staff supervision and daily nursing visits.

He returned to A wing on January 7 2020. However, his mental capacity appeared to fluctuate and some nursing staff assessed him as lacking capacity.

An MRI scan did not go ahead because he could not give informed consent.

During his time on the wing prison staff found him wandering the halls and getting into arguments.

He cognitive health continued to decline and a dental appointment was also stopped because he could not give informed consent.

On February 3, he was suspended from work in the sewing shop as he had hidden a needle on his person while leaving.

By March, his cognitive health had declined even further.

Staff assessed it was no longer safe for Mr Kendall to remain on A Wing.

In March he was noted to be unable to communicate verbally.

The same day, an initial palliative care MDT meeting for Kendall was held.

He was moved to the prison’s healthcare unit.

Following his three months later six recommendations have been made relating to the care he received.

Inspectors said staff should ensure that processes are in place to identify prisoners who have not attended a second stage screening to ensure that care provided is holistic and will identify any unmet health needs.

The other recommendations state:

• The head of healthcare should ensure that there are processes in place to

enable timely receipt of hospital discharge letters, for timely planning of care at

the prison.

• The head of healthcare should ensure that there are processes and training in

place for all healthcare staff to complete risk assessments when clinically needed

in order to allow ongoing monitoring and early intervention of care needs.

• The head of healthcare should ensure that there are processes and training in

place for all healthcare staff to ensure that referrals to partner agencies are

completed in a timely manner.

• The head of healthcare should ensure that the mental health team complete

mental capacity assessments as part of the assessment process when needed.

• The governor and head of healthcare should consider and facilitate the secure

use of video conferencing to enable prisoners to be seen by external

professionals when visiting the prison is restricted, to allow for timely medical and

social care assessments.