Inadequate Training Led to Death of Elderly in Care Home
Posted on 16 Sep 2009 | Tagged as: Better Business, Health, University Of Legal Matters
An 80-year old quadriplegic named Muriel Lindley fell from her bed while being dressed by a single care assistant at West Ridings Nursing Home on Lingwell Gate Lane in Lofthouse on July 13, 2008. Both her legs were fractured in the fall, and she was admitted to Pinderfields Hospital where she passed away after nine days.
Following this incident, Wakefield magistrates imposed a fine of £15,000 on BUPA Care Homes (CFH Care) Limited, which owns the nursing home, and ordered it to pay costs amounting to £10,500.
BUPA pleaded guilty to violation of Section 3 (1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974. In the hearing, it came out that Swaledale Unit resident Mrs Lindley fell down after safety rails had been descended to get her dressed afresh for the day.
This practice ought to have been carried out by two well-trained assistants, as defined in the safety and health policies of the nursing home and in the written evaluations of the patient’s personal care requirements.
Yet Mrs Lindley was attended by only one care assistant who lacked adequate knowledge in managing patients. Moreover, it was only the sixth day of the assistant on the unit, and she had not yet completed the required formal training on handling patients. Her training ended on July 22, the day Mrs Lindley passed away.
After the hearing, Paul Robinson, HSE inspector, stated that all care assistants, care home operators and managements must take a cue from this trial on what might happen as a result of insufficient training of staff and non-adherence to safety policies and procedures. He added that the incident would make health care operators understand the reason why such policies are in place to protect patients.
Companies should bring themselves and their employees fully up-to-date with the latest H&S regulations. The NEBOSH National General Certificate course is a highly reputable course run by Workplace Law Training and is a good first step to improving a companies’ knowledge and understanding of health and safety principles and practices.
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