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UK News - Breaking news in the field of health and safety
95-year-old Kent care home resident's death entirely ...
95-year-old Kent care home resident's death entirely avoidable
BUPA Care Homes Ltd, who manage 245 UK care homes occupied by more than 15,000 residents, has been fined £90,000, with £19,247 costs, at Southwark Crown Court having been found guilty of breaching S.3(1) of the Health and Safety at Work etc Act 1974 in the circumstances of an accident on 28th November 2003 at its Abbotsleigh Mews Residential and Nursing Home in Sidcup.
A care assistant employed by BUPA for around 6 weeks was assisting the victim from a bath using a Sarita hoist, but while doing so the frail resident slipped from it and fractured her shoulder. While waiting for surgery, she contracted pneumonia and died 4 days later.
Investigation established that the care assistant had not received training and had not used this type of hoist before, and that risk assessments and procedures for manual handling and safe bathing were not brought to the attention of care assistants. Supervision of staff carrying out lifting operations was also deemed to be inadequate, the client's care plan stipulated 2 persons were required for the lifting operation.
Comment:
“All too often we hear of cases where vulnerable, elderly people are not afforded the standard of care they deserve because the systems in place are not properly followed. The tragedy is that Mrs Wood’s death was entirely avoidable.” - HSE Inspector.
“My Mother was a much loved and central part of our family and her loss was a great blow to us all. Although she was frail she was in good health and we had fully expected her to get a telegram from the Queen.” - Deceased's son.
08.09.06
