Fine over death of pensioner

Care home owners were today ordered to pay £68,000 after the death of an 89-year-old Shropshire woman exposed health and safety failures.

Shrewsbury Crown Court heard how Rosalind James died at the St Georges Park Care Centre, St Georges in Telford, on April 20, 2005, just three weeks after moving in.

Staff at the centre, then owned by Ashbourne Healthcare Ltd, found Mrs James dead and “slumped over the bed rails with her feet on the floor and her neck resting on the rails”.

When the Health and Safety Executive investigated they found the rails were not the correct ones, they had not been fitted securely, and as a result they had come away from the bed leaving a gap down the side.

Mr Adam Farrer, prosecuting, said: “Mrs James’ neck was resting on the top of the bed rail in a position that may have restricted her breathing. The pathologist was of the opinion that it could have caused her death.”

Southern Cross Healthcare, which now owns the centre, previously admitted to breaching health and safety regulations.

Judge Robin Onions fined the company £35,000 and costs of £33,000. He said: “This appears to have been an isolated incident.”

A spokesperson for Southern Cross Healthcare, said: “We acquired St Georges care home after Mrs James’ death. However, to allow closure in this matter we will accept the judgement of the court and pay the penalty imposed on behalf of the previous owners.

“Since taking over we have invested £1million on new equipment and £200,000 on health and safety training.”