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Around a year back, a patient named Muriel Lindley at West Ridings Nursing Home in Lofthouse died after suffering multiple fractures to her legs owing to her care assistant being inexperienced. The 80- year old woman fell from her bed and was admitted to hospital after being injured, but she succumbed to her injuries eventually.

The victim would not have fallen from her bed if the protective banisters around her bed had not been lowered down by the care worker to get her washed and ready for the day. By rule, it is necessary to have two trained care workers to do the job. However, in violation of the health and safety policies of the home and written evaluation of the patient’s care needs, the work was being done by only one care assistant who was rather inexperienced.

The assistant was not properly equipped with the knowledge regarding handling of such patients. She was new on the unit, had been not even one week on duty, and was yet to complete her training. Her training in fact got over on the exact day Mrs Lindley died in the hospital.

The owner of the care home, BUPA Care Homes (CFH Care) Limited, was prosecuted before Wakefield magistrates who ordered the company to pay a fine of £15,000 and cost of £10,500. The company was prosecuted for violation of Section 3(1) of the Health & Safety at Work Act 1974.

Following the incident, HSE inspector Paul Robinson instructed the care homes to follow the guidelines and correct procedures. The policies are in place and it is very important for carers, managements and care home operators to follow them for the safety and welfare of the patients, he added. IOSH training can help organisations to cut the health and safety risks that apply in any workplace; the experts at Workplace Law Training offer all the advice and information needed to make sure companies remain compliant with the latest health and safety regulations.