Tragic death of Joan Bloore could have been avoided

After a number of falls at home, the family of great-grandmother Joan Bloore believed she would be better off if she was looked after at a care home.

But just two months later the 79-year-old died after falling while walking to the shops – despite staff being told not to take her out without a wheelchair.

Mrs Bloore was moved into the Hartlands Rest Home in Whitehall Street, Shrewsbury, at the beginning of last year by her family who were concerned for her safety at home.

But on March 4, Mrs Bloore, who worked in the catering department of Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, was taken out of the home by an 18-year-old carer to visit the Spar shop in Monkmoor Road using a mobility frame instead of a wheelchair.

The mother-of-five fell and hit her head outside the shop. She was taken to the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, where she died of a brain haemorrhage and pneumonia four days later.

Now more than a year later, D Roche Ltd, which owns the care home, has been fined £100,000 after admitting two breaches of the Health and Safety at Work Act at an earlier hearing.

Company director Declan Roche , who also operates another care home in Oswestry, admitted failing to implement measures to ensure the safety of Mrs Bloore and failing to undertake a suitable and sufficient assessment of the risks associated with escorting residents on outings.

It followed an inquest into her death last December, in which coroner John Ellery recorded a narrative verdict and stated that Mrs Bloore has been taken out of the home on a ‘walking aid and not in a wheelchair as required by her care plan’.

The family of Mrs Bloore, who had 11 grandchildren and two great-grandchildren, have said they believe there were ‘massive deficiencies’ at the home with informing staff about the requirements of residents.

Her son Ian previously said: “We have all said the same thing – it should never have happened.

“She was put in a position that resulted in her death and could have happened to any resident. Hopefully, nobody else will have to go through what we have.

“There are plenty of accidents, but it’s about what is avoidable. We were let down and they let my mum down,” he said.

At Shrewsbury Magistrates Court in June, David Elias, representing Mr Roche, said his client used to work in nursing before beginning to run care homes 23 years ago.

“Because of that background, he understands as fully as anyone can, the anguish the family must be suffering because of this tragic incident,” he said.

Steve Charmley, portfolio holder for health and wellbeing at Shropshire Council, which brought the prosecution following an investigation into the circumstances of Mrs Bloore’s death, said today he was pleased with the court judgement.

“It seems health and safety has been neglected in this case. It is good to see Shropshire Council is taking its responsibilities for this area seriously and the court has recognised that and upped the fine,” he said.

“It is all about protecting the residents of Shropshire.”

Sentencing took place at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday after magistrates decided in June the maximum £40,000 fine they could impose was not sufficient.

Judge Robin Onions imposed a total £100,000 fine on the home – £50,000 each for both of the health and safety breaches that contributed to Mrs Bloore’s death. Last month, it was revealed that the nursing home has been put up for sale for £1.25 million through Birmingham-based agent Christie & Co.

It has been marketed as a home with a ‘good reputation for care within Shrewsbury’ which benefited from ‘strong occupancy as a consequence’.

The home is registered with the Care Quality Commission as an elderly care home providing dementia care for up to 31 residents. In September 2011 the home was judged to have met all the essential standards of quality and safety.