Healthcare company fined £50,000 following resident’s death

A healthcare firm has been issued a £50,000 fine subsequent to the death of an elderly resident who fell from her bed at a care home in County Antrim. Mary ‘Pat’ Thompson, aged 89, was receiving personal care at Rose Lodge Nursing Home in Lisburn on 18 May 2020 when she was left unattended while seated on her bed. She sustained multiple injuries after falling forwards onto the floor and passed away in hospital a few days later. Harmony CCS Limited, the Belfast-based former owner of the care home, was prosecuted and admitted guilt to a single health and safety breach. In a statement, the company conveyed that its directors wished to extend their “sincere apologies” to Mrs Thompson’s family, adding that their “deepest sympathies” are with the family. The statement further noted, “Pat was a lovely person and a much loved resident and we remain deeply sorry and saddened by the incident.” The Health and Safety Executive for Northern Ireland (HSENI) investigated the incident. It determined that Mrs Thompson’s care plans indicated she required the assistance of two carers to ensure her safety during movement. However, the care plans did not formally specify the level of assistance Mrs Thompson needed while receiving personal care. On the day of the fall, a senior staff member instructed a junior staff member to provide personal care for Mrs Thompson alone. A HSENI statement confirmed, “As a result, Mrs. Thompson was moved by one carer and left unattended at the edge of the bed from which she fell.” Speaking after the court hearing, HSENI inspector Kiara Blackburn stated: “Care plans must identify the specific care needs of each resident and should be followed by all care staff.” The current proprietors of Rose Lodge Nursing Home, who acquired the facility in 2021 after the incident occurred, issued a statement expressing their wish “to express their sympathy for the family” of Mrs Thompson. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC is not accountable for the content of external websites. Information regarding our approach to external linking is available.