In a tragic incident that occurred 15 months ago at The Red House Care Home in Ashtead, Surrey, a 91-year-old resident lost his life after becoming wedged in his bed. The event has sparked a call for improved staff training and safety measures in care facilities.
Paul Batchelor, who exceeded the UK's average life expectancy of 81 years, found himself in distress on the night of June 28, 2023. After being assisted to bed at 9:00 PM, he began calling for help at 10:05 PM. His cries continued for over an hour, until 11:15 PM.
The inquest revealed that a care worker on duty heard Batchelor's pleas at 11:05 PM but did not enter his room or offer assistance, reportedly due to fear. This lack of response highlights a critical gap in care protocols and staff preparedness.
Susan Ridge, the assistant coroner for Surrey, issued a prevention of future deaths report following the inquest. She emphasized the need for care homes to ensure staff are properly trained to handle various situations, including when they feel apprehensive about entering a resident's room alone.
The bed Batchelor occupied was found to lack a crucial safety feature. It had a mattress extension at the foot end, which fell through the bed frame when he moved onto it. The coroner noted that a supporting deck should have been in place to prevent such incidents, but the care home was unaware of this requirement.
"There is the risk that – rather than disturb a resident – care home staff through, for example, fear or lack of time do not check a resident who may be in distress."
The inquest concluded with a narrative verdict, determining that Batchelor died from an accident contributed to by neglect. The medical causes were identified as positional asphyxia and pneumonia, both common issues among elderly individuals in care settings.
This incident underscores the importance of rigorous safety measures and staff training in the UK's 17,000 care homes, which house approximately 400,000 older adults. The average age of care home residents in the UK is 85, making proper care and safety protocols crucial.
The Care Quality Commission, which regulates health and social care in England, and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency have been notified of the coroner's report. These agencies play vital roles in ensuring the safety and well-being of care home residents across the country.
The Red House Care Home has since briefed staff on the necessity of checking on residents by entering their rooms. However, the coroner noted that the facility has not provided guidance on how staff should proceed if they feel frightened or concerned about entering a room alone.
As the UK population ages and the demand for care homes increases, incidents like this serve as a stark reminder of the ongoing need for improved safety measures, staff training, and awareness in eldercare facilities.