THE family of a care home resident who died of suspected legionnaires’ disease say they hope an upcoming inquest will end their 16-month wait for answers.

Andy Clegg died nearly two weeks after he was admitted to Salisbury District Hospital from Fordingbridge Care Home. He had been diagnosed with legionella pneumonia, a complication arising from the legionella bacteria.

His family are now hoping that an inquest examining the circumstances of how he died will finally provide them with answers. They will be represented at the court by Irwin Mitchell.

Jatinder Paul, a senior associate from the firm, said: “While it is only correct that a thorough investigation to establish all the facts surrounding Andy’s death needed to take place, not knowing the full picture has caused a great deal of anguish for his family as they have attempted to try and come to terms with what happened.

“The family rightly have a number of serious concerns regarding Andy’s death and if anything could have been done to prevent it.

“Setting a date for the inquest is a major step forward.”

Andy moved to Fordingbridge Care Home in April 2017 to receive help for mental health difficulties. The home is run by Sentinel Healthcare.

He was admitted to Salisbury General Hospital on 24 October 2017 but died on November 5.

Following his death Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission and Hampshire County Council launched investigations.

Andy’s sister Joanne Denyer, 55, of Southampton, said: “There’s not a day goes by where we don’t miss Andy. He was such a huge part of our family and we have been left devastated and angry by his death.

“While time has moved on our family hasn’t. It is still so painful to think of Andy and the suffering he was in during the final days of his life. Not knowing the full reasons why he died just adds to our hurt.”

An inquest into Andy’s death is due to start at Salisbury Coroner’s Court on Monday.