A NEW management team has been brought in by the providers of supported living in Southampton after a resident died. 

Apex Care has broken its silence six months after the death of Mark Williams, a resident at Potters Court.

The company has said that improvements have now been made at the site in Wimpson Lane.

The news comes after a CQC report was commissioned following Mark's death in November 2021. 

The 60-year-old was found dead under his fourth-floor balcony.

His family say he fell while he was trying to put himself to bed. 

Daily Echo: Mark Williams. Mark Williams.

An inquest into his death is due to take place in July.

The health watchdog found that Potters Court required improvement but Apex now says the new management team is said to be "confident that the changes carried out will allow for the service to grow and improve".

In a statement, Managing Director of the company, Malcolm Patrick said: "As the care provider at Potters Court, we are deeply saddened by the tragic passing of Mr Williams and extend our utmost condolences to his family and friends.

"We have acknowledged complaints from the family and responded, however, a full inquest is proposed to take place in July with the Coroner’s Court, and as this is an active investigation, we are limited in what information we can share publicly."

Potters Court consists of 83 flats and is managed by Southampton City Council. 

Apex provides personal care for some of the residents living there.

The care provider said it has worked alongside the authority as well as the CQC as the inspection took place. 


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However, Apex has now said media coverage and the "dissemination of information through social media" has had a "detrimental impact on the mental health of our staff, and residents, in an already challenging time for the health and social care sector".

Mr Patrick said: "Whilst an investigation is going on, we believe this approach is totally inappropriate and not only impacts staff morale and retention, but all the residents of Potters Court.

"We support extremely vulnerable adults at Potters Court and recent events have caused increased levels of anxiety.

"We are doing what we can to reassure residents and staff members, who are feeling unsettled and vulnerable, and to improve life at Potters Court."

But Mark's daughter, Jessy Williams, said she hasn't seen any changes and that the only way to solve the issue would be for Apex to leave. 

She said: "There is still really vulnerable people in there, it's only a matter of time before someone else dies. 

"Apex need to leave really I think. I don't think they have made masses of changes."

She added that Apex has not contacted her or her family directly.

She has also raised concerns about staff leaving and further incidents since her father died.

But the care provider director went on to say that the CQC report has highlighted pressures that are being felt across the industry. 

He said: "Following the inspection report, we have worked tirelessly to make improvements to our service and to the whole community at Potters Court, many of whom we do not provide care for.

"Once again, we understand and sympathise with the family at this extremely difficult time and want to reassure that we are continuing to support the investigation at every stage."

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