Gerald Tuck
PFD Report
All Responded
Ref: 2022-0254
All 1 response received
· Deadline: 28 Nov 2022
Coroner's Concerns (AI summary)
The care home lacked a formal policy or guidance for reviewing care plans and risk assessments following incidents like falls. This systemic gap led to a crucial falls risk assessment not being updated after multiple falls, increasing future risk.
View full coroner's concerns
1. During the Inquest evidence was heard that:
i. Sidney Gale House Residential Home is governed by Tricuro Limited
ii. Upon a person becoming a resident at the home, a care plan is put in place which requires a number of risk assessments to be undertaken. These risk assessments, and the care plan, are reviewed monthly. If there is an incident, such as a fall, the expectation is for the care plan and the risks to be further reviewed, however there is no formal policy, procedure or guidance document in place covering this.
iii. On the 25th December 2021 the deceased fell at the home and was taken to hospital. He was discharged on the 27th December 2021. He fell again on the 27th January 2022 and again on the 28th January 2022 when the fatal injury was sustained.
iv. The Registered Manager of Sidney Gale House gave evidence that his last falls risk assessment is documented to have taken place on the 16th December 2021. There is no evidence one was completed after this prior to the fatal fall on the 28th January 2022. The monthly review was due on the 31st January 2022 and there was no assessment recorded after the falls on the 25th December 2021 and 27th January 2022.
2. I have concerns with regard to the following:
i. There is no written policy or guidance in place at Sidney Gale House Residential Home around the review of care plans following an incident at the home and this could lead to a future death is necessary risk assessments are not undertaken following an incident occurring.
i. Sidney Gale House Residential Home is governed by Tricuro Limited
ii. Upon a person becoming a resident at the home, a care plan is put in place which requires a number of risk assessments to be undertaken. These risk assessments, and the care plan, are reviewed monthly. If there is an incident, such as a fall, the expectation is for the care plan and the risks to be further reviewed, however there is no formal policy, procedure or guidance document in place covering this.
iii. On the 25th December 2021 the deceased fell at the home and was taken to hospital. He was discharged on the 27th December 2021. He fell again on the 27th January 2022 and again on the 28th January 2022 when the fatal injury was sustained.
iv. The Registered Manager of Sidney Gale House gave evidence that his last falls risk assessment is documented to have taken place on the 16th December 2021. There is no evidence one was completed after this prior to the fatal fall on the 28th January 2022. The monthly review was due on the 31st January 2022 and there was no assessment recorded after the falls on the 25th December 2021 and 27th January 2022.
2. I have concerns with regard to the following:
i. There is no written policy or guidance in place at Sidney Gale House Residential Home around the review of care plans following an incident at the home and this could lead to a future death is necessary risk assessments are not undertaken following an incident occurring.
Responses
Action Taken
Tricuro has reinforced policy training, introduced a live accident and incident reporting system, created a policy and procedure for any deaths in service, and implemented a monthly safeguarding and accident/incident report for senior leadership review, and implemented falls focus group to keep staff updated and reiterate the falls policy process and importantly how to reduce the risk of falls. (AI summary)
Tricuro has reinforced policy training, introduced a live accident and incident reporting system, created a policy and procedure for any deaths in service, and implemented a monthly safeguarding and accident/incident report for senior leadership review, and implemented falls focus group to keep staff updated and reiterate the falls policy process and importantly how to reduce the risk of falls. (AI summary)
View full response
Dear Rachael, I write in response to your letter relating to a person who resided in one of our services, we have carefully reviewed this event to ensure that this does not happen again and that we have sufficient policy and procedures within Tricuro to inform all staff as to what they need to follow. Background information: Mr Gerald Tuck (known as Gerry) Sidney Gale House, Flood Lane, Bridport, DT6 3QG Gerry was admitted to Sidney Gale House Residential Home on 15th January 2017. On admittance a care plan commenced and added to and changed over time due to differing needs and outcomes. All care plans are reviewed on a monthly basis with input from the resident, carers and family. Waterflow etc Gerry required assistance with maintaining all aspects of personal care throughout the day and night. Gerry was able to mobilise independently with the use of a Zimmer frame, he chose to spend all his time in his room including mealtimes. At night a sensor mat was used to alert staff to Gerry getting out of bed as frequently throughout the night he would be sat on the edge of his bed. Gerry had the daily paper delivered. At times it was hard to converse with Gerry due to his loss of hearing and staff would write things down for him to read. Gerry lived with the following health conditions Type 2 Diabetes - Insulin administered daily Glaucoma Essential hypertension Atrial Fibrillation Mixed Dementia Sensorineural hearing Loss Allergy to Trimethroprim, erythromycin and mepore A DNAR was in place The Care Company Wholly Owned by Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole Council (BCP) Tricuro Limited (09536732) and Tricuro Support Limited (09536638) Beech House, 28-30 Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH15 2BU L0027 Registered in England and Wales
I have broken down our response and actions to each area: The 25TH of December 2021 - Gerry fell in his room The service did follow the falls policy and call for an ambulance as it was an unwitnessed fall, and he takes warfarin. Gerry also said he had hit his head. Post fall observations were taken until the ambulance arrived and admitted Gerry into Hospital. When he returned to the service he returned with antibiotics for an infection, and the staff updated his medications, and monitored his health and wellbeing. On review of his notes, I can see staff frequently checked on Gerry and updated his body map to reflect a skin tear from the fall that the District Nurse was tending to. However, what should have happened is that his care plan and risk assessments were reviewed and updated following his arrival back into the service. On the 26th of January 2022 Gerry was visited by the GP due to him being unsettled in behaviour and more confused, the GP prescribed some antibiotics and suggested a trial of Memantine. I can see staff recorded checking on him frequently. On the 27TH of January 2022 Gerry had an unwitnessed fall, they stated no injuries, and they did commence post falls monitoring to observe for any deterioration and did not note any. However, given that he takes warfarin the protocol should have been to contact the ambulance service to assess, and his care plans and risk assessments should have been updated. On the 28th of January 2022 Staff contacted the GP as they felt he was more confused than normal and were awaiting antibiotics to be delivered, they called the GP to chase the medications. Sadly, he later fell and had clearly injured himself as staff observed some blood on the fall and they followed policy by calling for an ambulance. Our Falls policy does state the need to use the post falls assessment tool and had this have been used and followed accordingly following his fall on the 27th ot January 2022 the staff would have been guided that as he takes warfarin medical assistance should be sought. To mitigate further risks we have uploaded the post falls assessment tool to the electronic recording system that is used to ensure staff do see, follow and record on this. The falls policy has been reviewed and updated to reflect the need of anticoagulant recognition and escalation following an fall. The Care Company Wholly Owned by Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poo Cou nciI ( BCP) Tricuro Limited (09536732) and Tricuro Support Limited (09536638) Beech House, 28-30 Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH 15 2BU Registered in England and Wales
Our policy also reflects that staff are expected to update the falls risk assessments and mobility care plans after any fall to ensure that the care, support and risks are managed accordingly. We have ensured that all staff within the service and the wider company are very clear of the policy and that this must be followed. Tricuro have also now introduced a live accident and Incident reporting system, this means that any falls or other accidents or incidents are directly available for our quality assurance teams to see, our locality team and the registered managers. This means that we can instantly check that the service has carried out all of the necessary actions in response to events and that the persons support plan and risk have been actioned. We also have created a policy and procedure for any deaths in service which details the need to investigate any unexpected deaths, this will prevent us from being unaware at head office of anyone who sadly passes away. Death reports are now reported internally to Head Office which means we can review all reports to ensure that deaths were handled appropriately but also to ensure that the care and support prior to this was as it should be. ) Services are ensuring that falls are monitored within service level and any root cause analysis is completed and actioned as needed, managers share any lessons learnt or recommendations with other services. Furthermore, we have falls focus group which means we are able to keep staff updated and reiterate the falls policy process and importantly how to reduce the risk of falls. Tricuro also now have a monthly safeguarding and accidents/incident report that is presented at Senior leadership meetings for scrutiny and review. I hope this provides you with the assurances you need relating to this event and to prevent and mitigate any future risks. Please do let me know if you require any additional information. J
I have broken down our response and actions to each area: The 25TH of December 2021 - Gerry fell in his room The service did follow the falls policy and call for an ambulance as it was an unwitnessed fall, and he takes warfarin. Gerry also said he had hit his head. Post fall observations were taken until the ambulance arrived and admitted Gerry into Hospital. When he returned to the service he returned with antibiotics for an infection, and the staff updated his medications, and monitored his health and wellbeing. On review of his notes, I can see staff frequently checked on Gerry and updated his body map to reflect a skin tear from the fall that the District Nurse was tending to. However, what should have happened is that his care plan and risk assessments were reviewed and updated following his arrival back into the service. On the 26th of January 2022 Gerry was visited by the GP due to him being unsettled in behaviour and more confused, the GP prescribed some antibiotics and suggested a trial of Memantine. I can see staff recorded checking on him frequently. On the 27TH of January 2022 Gerry had an unwitnessed fall, they stated no injuries, and they did commence post falls monitoring to observe for any deterioration and did not note any. However, given that he takes warfarin the protocol should have been to contact the ambulance service to assess, and his care plans and risk assessments should have been updated. On the 28th of January 2022 Staff contacted the GP as they felt he was more confused than normal and were awaiting antibiotics to be delivered, they called the GP to chase the medications. Sadly, he later fell and had clearly injured himself as staff observed some blood on the fall and they followed policy by calling for an ambulance. Our Falls policy does state the need to use the post falls assessment tool and had this have been used and followed accordingly following his fall on the 27th ot January 2022 the staff would have been guided that as he takes warfarin medical assistance should be sought. To mitigate further risks we have uploaded the post falls assessment tool to the electronic recording system that is used to ensure staff do see, follow and record on this. The falls policy has been reviewed and updated to reflect the need of anticoagulant recognition and escalation following an fall. The Care Company Wholly Owned by Dorset Council and Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poo Cou nciI ( BCP) Tricuro Limited (09536732) and Tricuro Support Limited (09536638) Beech House, 28-30 Wimborne Road, Poole, Dorset, BH 15 2BU Registered in England and Wales
Our policy also reflects that staff are expected to update the falls risk assessments and mobility care plans after any fall to ensure that the care, support and risks are managed accordingly. We have ensured that all staff within the service and the wider company are very clear of the policy and that this must be followed. Tricuro have also now introduced a live accident and Incident reporting system, this means that any falls or other accidents or incidents are directly available for our quality assurance teams to see, our locality team and the registered managers. This means that we can instantly check that the service has carried out all of the necessary actions in response to events and that the persons support plan and risk have been actioned. We also have created a policy and procedure for any deaths in service which details the need to investigate any unexpected deaths, this will prevent us from being unaware at head office of anyone who sadly passes away. Death reports are now reported internally to Head Office which means we can review all reports to ensure that deaths were handled appropriately but also to ensure that the care and support prior to this was as it should be. ) Services are ensuring that falls are monitored within service level and any root cause analysis is completed and actioned as needed, managers share any lessons learnt or recommendations with other services. Furthermore, we have falls focus group which means we are able to keep staff updated and reiterate the falls policy process and importantly how to reduce the risk of falls. Tricuro also now have a monthly safeguarding and accidents/incident report that is presented at Senior leadership meetings for scrutiny and review. I hope this provides you with the assurances you need relating to this event and to prevent and mitigate any future risks. Please do let me know if you require any additional information. J
Sent To
- Tricuro
Response Status
Linked responses
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56-Day Deadline
28 Nov 2022
All responses received
About PFD responses
Organisations named in PFD reports must respond within 56 days explaining what actions they are taking.
Source: Courts and Tribunals Judiciary
Report Sections
Action Should Be Taken
In my opinion urqent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you and/or your organisation have the power to take such action.
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Data sourced from Courts and Tribunals Judiciary under the Open Government Licence.