Attack at care home: concerns were raised

CONCERNS were raised about the decision over the admission of a resident with aggressive behaviour into a Failsworth care home after he assaulted a fellow resident who later died.

A week-long inquest resumed yesterday into the death of Frederick Adams (92) who was bitten on the left hand and hit with a shoe by Alfred Baker at Acorn Lodge Care Home.

Mr Adams, who lived at the home inGuido Street, was found covered in blood and bruises in his room shortly after 8am on October 22, 2013.

He and Mr Baker (73) were both taken to Royal Oldham Hospital for treatment and returned to the home later that day.

Mr Baker was moved to the Early Mentally Infirm unit (EMI) in the home as it was a more secure environment due to the fact that he was more prone to wandering around.

Mr Adams’ condition deteriorated after his left hand became infected and he was readmitted to the Royal Oldham on October 29. He died on November 8.

Mr Baker had dementia and was described as “very difficult”.

He had been admitted into Limecroft Care Home several times throughout August of that year and, prior to Acorn Lodge, he also stayed at Medlock Court in Lees and then Brierfield Residential Care Home in Failsworth.

Questions were raised about Mr Baker’s social worker, Jenny Cowler, as some witnesses believed she had not fully disclosed the details about his past behaviour.

Deputy home manager Victoria Kersley said at Heywood Coroner’s Court that she had no prior knowledge of Mr Baker or his history prior to the assault on October 22.

When asked if she would have admitted him into the residential unit, she admitted: “If I had known all the history I don’t think I would have.”

She added: “He was very aggressive and very intimidating. A lot of carers were frightened of him.

“I ended up putting him on one-to-one because I was very concerned about the safety of other residents and himself.”

Ms Kersley said that she, along with senior management, had a meeting with Mr Baker’s social worker, Jenny Cowler, after the assault in which there was a heated conversation as to the suitability of Mr Baker remaining in residential care.

Miss Cowler said Mr Baker only needed a cigarette to calm him down but the senior staff members disagreed, believing the EMI at the home was more suitable for his needs.

Ms Kersley said: “It wasn’t very professional. There were a lot of raised voices. I came out of the meeting before it ended and went back to work. I didn’t feel we were getting anywhere; we were arguing.”

When asked why Mr Baker was not initially moved from the residential unit after throwing a hot drink at another person in the home on October 6, Ms Kersley said: “I don’t want to make it sound trivial but these things happen a lot with people with dementia.

“It’s not out of the norm.” She then admitted that she did not have the authority to move residents.

Prior to the assault Mr Baker had been put on a plan to be observed every 15 minutes.

Daniel Marsden, who was part of the senior night team on the day of the incident, said there had been no issues overnight but did not recall if anyone had checked on Mr Baker between 7.50-8.10am while he was at a handover meeting in the dining room.

He was certain that Mr Baker had been in his room until that point as the door was shut.

Mr Adams, who was found in his room by care assistant Chloe Taylor, said after the assault: “He hit me with my own shoe. I haven’t done anything.” He also said: “He bit me on my finger and dragged me on the floor. I was fighting back.”

He added that he did not know who the man was.

Mr Baker was described by many of the witnesses as not being aware of what had happened after the assault.

Police were called and started investigations once after the assault and again after the death of Mr Adams. But no further action was taken after it was concluded that there was insufficient evidence and Mr Baker lacked capacity to understand the events.

He was admitted into Downshaw Lodge Care Home in December for a lower fee as he was not deemed a risk to other residents and would, therefore, not need as many staff members to look after him. But after the police inquiry in February last year, manager Alison Chadwick said in a statement that she had not been made aware of Mr Baker’s previous history or she would not have admitted him for the lower fee.

PROCEEDING


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