THE death of a Poole man who had an unwitnessed fall involving his recently purchased mobility scooter has sparked concerns for a Dorset coroner.

William Buchanan, aged 89, decided to obtain a Leo mobility scooter under the Motability scheme last year.

The store manager of Lifestyle and Mobility undertook a home assessment and completed a suitability questionnaire before delivering a one to one handover to Mr Buchanan when the scooter was delivered on July 20, 2020.

Later that afternoon, Mr Buchanan sustained multiple rib fractures when he had an unwitnessed incident involving his mobility scooter, the exact circumstances of which remain unknown, at his home address.

He was taken to Poole Hospital but, despite treatment, he developed pneumonia and his condition deteriorated. Mr Buchanan died in hospital on the evening of July 27.

Assistant coroner for Dorset Debbie Rookes concluded that he died as a result of an accident at an inquest into his death at Bournemouth Town Hall last month.

Following evidence given during the hearing, Ms Rookes has written a preventing future deaths report, which was sent to health secretary Sajid Javid.

The coroner said action should be taken to prevent future deaths and she believed Mr Javid had the power to take such action.

Mr Rookes's report said: "Lifestyle and Mobility completed a home assessment including a suitability questionnaire as Mr Buchanan was obtaining his scooter through the Motability scheme.

"If clients purchase a scooter privately, the company has a detailed questionnaire they complete which has been designed in conjunction with the British Healthcare Trades Association.

"However, I was very concerned to learn that elderly individuals can purchase mobility scooters online or in other stores without any assessment whatsoever being completed to assess their suitability or competence to use one.

"This gives rise to a concern that future deaths could occur if action is not taken."

The health secretary has until October 27 to reply to the coroner, with details of action taken or proposed to be taken, including a timetable for action, or explain why no action is proposed.

The Daily Echo contacted the Department of Health and Social Care, but at the time of going to print had not received a response.