A PENSIONER choked to death at a Redditch nursing home after being left alone to eat, despite clear instructions that she required full supervision during mealtimes, an inquest has heard.
Alice Cairns, 85, who lived with dementia and frailty, had been a resident at Southcrest Nursing Home since 2019.
Regular choking risk assessments were carried out twice a year, and from March 2022, Alice was formally assessed as needing full supervision and assistance while eating.
Alice died last year after her airway became blocked by a large amount of bread from a sandwich provided by carers.
The sandwich had been cut into bite-sized pieces, but a carer left the room briefly. When staff returned, Alice was red in the face and in distress, and an ambulance was called.
Despite attempts by paramedics to clear her airway, Alice’s condition deteriorated.
A second ambulance crew was called, and chest compressions were started. She was taken to hospital under blue-light conditions, made comfortable, and later died at 7.51pm.
The Coroner concluded that Alice died from an unwitnessed choking episode caused by “a brief moment of suboptimal supervision” and said the care provided fell short of what she should have received. The Coroner concluded that she died from an accident.
Alice’s family say they want to raise awareness about failures in care and supervision.
Her granddaughter, Joanne Agnew, of Glasgow, said: “Due to a breach of duty by the nursing home in three crucial areas, my grandmother was subject to unnecessary pain and suffering, which ultimately resulted in her death.
“We urge other families to be vigilant. Care orders are being put in place without the knowledge of close family. Care homes must do better.”
Midlands law firm FBC Manby Bowdler, representing the family, have said they have since secured an admission from the nursing home, with the claim settled for £10,988.
Southcrest Care Home said: "We were hugely saddened by the passing of Alice Cairns who had been with us since 2019.
"Her death appears to have been the result of a tragic accident which the Coroner described as a "brief moment of suboptimal supervision" by carers on our team.
"This was a sad and tragic event, and our hearts go out to Alice's family. This should never have happened. We have taken steps in terms of our internal procedures to ensure that that no such accident can ever happen in the future."
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