Care home charged over 63-year-old resident’s injuries
Nada Residential and Nursing Home was in court this week, after a vulnerable resident fell from an upstairs window.
What happened?
A 63-year-old resident, who was suffering from dementia, was found on the ground under his bedroom window shortly after telling staff that he wanted to get some fresh air. He sustained multiple injuries, including fractures to both his knee and back.
Trafford Magistrates’ Court heard that the risk of patients falling from open windows was common knowledge within the care home sector, and measures should have been taken to ensure windows couldn’t be opened more than ten centimetres.
An investigation later found that the care home had neglected to properly assess the risk of residents falling from windows, or take suitable action to prevent incidents such as this from happening.
What was the outcome?
The Manchester-based Residential and Nursing Home pleaded guilty to breaches of both the Management of Health and Safety at Work Regulations and the Health and Safety at Work Act, and was fined £8,000 and ordered to pay prosecution costs of £597.
Inspector Lorna Sherlock said after the hearing:
been much worse. It simply should not have been possible for him to be
able to push open his bedroom window to a point where
there was a risk of him falling out.
“Nada has now fitted restrictors to all of its windows to stop them
opening more than a few centimetres. If these had been in place
at the time of the incident then the resident’s injuries
could have been avoided.”
If you feel that you have been affected by an incident such as this, and you would like expert advice, contact Hampson Hughes Solicitors today on 0800 888 6888 or email
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