Coroner slams failings at care home and social services after grandmother, 91, was killed by dementia-hit fellow resident with history of violence who dragged her out of bed and attacked her
- Jessie McKinlay, 91, was attacked by Alan Whiteside, 75, in Lancashire care home
- The great-grandmother, who had seven children, died over two months later
- Coroner found Ms McKinlay had been let down by care home’s management
- He recorded a narrative conclusion, saying she died from effects of her injuries
A coroner has slammed failings at a care home and social services after a grandmother was killed by a dementia-hit fellow resident with a history of violence who dragged her out of bed and attacked her.
Jessie McKinlay, 91, was assaulted by 75-year-old Alan Whiteside at The Old Vicarage Care Home in Freckleton, Lancashire, in February 2019.
The great-grandmother, who had seven children, 16 grandchildren, and four great-grandchildren, died over two months later on April 21.
Coroner Alan Wilson found that Ms McKinlay had been let down by the care home’s management, who ‘inaccurately’ reported being well-equipped to deal with Mr Whiteside, and by Lancashire County Council social services and mental health practitioners who failed to properly communicate with the home.
He said: ‘These failings did not just put other residents at risk of harm, but let Alan down as well’, adding: ‘Ultimately, the extent of the risk Mr Whiteside posed to other residents was not fully recognised.’
However, he said these failings did not amount to gross neglect on behalf of the home of local authority. He recorded a narrative conclusion.
Speaking after the inquest, Ms McKinlay’s daughter said that she believes her mother was ‘killed’ and vowed to ‘chase everybody that failed her’.
Jessie McKinlay (pictured above), 91, was attacked by 75-year-old Alan Whiteside at The Old Vicarage Care Home in Freckleton, Lancashire, in February 2019
Blackpool Coroner’s Court heard yesterday how Mr Whiteside violently attacked Ms McKinlay, throwing her out into the corridor.
He tried to kick and punch her before being restrained by staff, the court was told.
Mr Whiteside, who had been diagnosed with mixed dementia, was known to have been verbally and physically abusive towards staff, and in some instances towards other residents, the inquest heard.
Despite previous attempts by the care home to reduce Mr Whiteside’s agitation by changing his medication in October 2018 – which initially seemed to be working – his aggressive behaviour actually became more frequent, the court heard.
He was also known to wander into other residents’ rooms, the inquest heard.
Coroner Alan Wilson said: ‘The extent of the risk he posed to other residents was not fully appreciated, in part because social workers and mental health professionals were not aware of the extent of his aggressive behaviour.’
Mr Whiteside was reported to be apologetic and remorseful when police came.
Ms McKinlay was taken to Royal Preston Hospital, where investigations found injuries including a fractured right shoulder and a femoral fracture on the right side of her neck.
She underwent surgery but did not have a CT scan and was discharged from hospital to a nursing home on March 11.
The pensioner was then taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital on March 21 before returning to the nursing home on April 2 for end of life care.
Coroner Alan Wilson found Ms McKinlay had been let down by the care home’s management, who ‘inaccurately’ reported being well-equipped to deal with Mr Whiteside (care home above)
She died on April 21 while surrounded by her family.
A post-mortem examination revealed that Ms McKinlay’s condition had been complicated by significant bronchopneumonia in her lungs.
This had developed at a time when she was susceptible to respiratory infection due to the combined effects of her frailty, increased immobility, and a subdural haematoma that she suffered during the incident.
Speaking after the inquest, Ms McKinlay’s daughter, Mary Eaves, said: ‘She was beautiful, vibrant, kind and generous person. She was very, very popular and very glamorous.
‘She had a wonderful personality – everybody gravitated towards her – she was such good fun.
‘She was such a good mum and she was brilliant. She was loved by all her grandchildren, children and great-grandchildren. This has been so stressful for us.’
Fighting back tears, Ms Eaves added: ‘She was killed. She was assaulted. There are failures.
Mr Whiteside, who had been diagnosed with mixed dementia, was known to have been verbally and physically abusive towards staff, and in some instances towards other residents, the inquest heard (pictured: the Old Vicarage care home)
‘I have waited for this for three years. It’s not finished – we are going to chase everybody that failed her. We are just so disappointed.’
In a statement, Ms McKinlay’s family said: ‘The Old Vicarage Care Home failed to safeguard our mum, and other vulnerable residents who were under their care.
‘From July 2018 to February 2019, many red flags were raised exposing the extreme altercations that were happening in the care home. All were recorded during those months.
‘The whistleblower’s statement in January 2019 which highlighted many failures in the care home, was not properly investigated. So many opportunities were missed due to the poor communication between the care home managers, the providers and the agencies involved.
‘We sat by our mum for nine weeks before she passed away. It was heartbreaking. Her death was avoidable.’
Recording a narrative conclusion, Mr Wilson said Ms McKinlay died from the effects of the significant injuries she received when she was physically attacked at the care home where she resided by another resident who had been diagnosed with significant dementia.
Source: Read Full Article
