Two nursing home owners have been fined after an elderly resident died following a fall from a hoist.
Annie Bradley, 78, who was known as Vera, was being transported in a
sling from her bed to a specialist chair at Harley House Nursing Home
on Elms Road in Leicester on 19 July 2008. During the manoeuvre Miss
Bradley fell to the floor, hitting her head. The pensioner, who suffered
from Huntingdon’s disease and was immobile, died the following day.
Sisters
Fatima and Munira Mawji, both of Scraptoft, owned Harley House at the
time of the incident. They were prosecuted by the Health and Safety
Executive (HSE) for failing to ensure the safety of Miss Bradley.
Leicester
Crown Court heard the hoist was in such poor condition that it could
not be used safely. The stitching on the sling was worn and damaged
meaning the support stays that should have supported Miss Bradley’s head
could not be used.
HSE found the system of
work used by the nurse and care assistant operating the hoist put Miss
Bradley at risk of falling from the hoist at any time. The court was
also told the training of the two employees in manual handling was
limited, and the supervision and assessment of competence in manual
handling was not adequate.
Fatima Mawji
of Facers Lane, Scraptoft, and Munira Mawji of Scraptoft Lane,
Scraptoft, pleaded guilty to breaching Section 3(1) of the Health and
Safety at Work etc Act 1974. They were today (30 August) both fined
£50,000 and both ordered to pay £20,000 costs at Leicester Crown Court.
After the hearing HSE inspector Dr Richenda Dixon said:
“With properly maintained equipment, better training and supervision this incident was easily preventable.
“The
risks from hoisting residents in nursing homes are well known and falls
during hoisting have resulted in severe injuries, from broken bones
through to fatalities.
“There
should have been regular checks on the sling and the hoist, proper
planned preventative maintenance carried out and both thoroughly
examined by a competent person at least once in every six months. Sadly
this did not happen and an elderly lady lost her life.”
Miss Bradley’s family, who have asked not to be named, released the following statement:
“We
knew Vera was not well but we didn't expect her to die so unexpectedly
and in such a manner. We would not want this happen to anyone else or
any other family to have to go through what we have gone through.”
Harley House Nursing Home is now under new ownership.
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