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Care patient died after 'agonising' neglect
Peter Dominiczak26.11.09
A PENSIONER died after six months of neglect at a care home in one of the "worst cases" seen by a coroner, an inquest has heard.
William Perrin, 86, had lost nearly a third of his body weight and was sent to St George's Hospital, Tooting, with a gangrenous finger, bedsores and malnutrition after nine months at Eltandia Hall, Norbury.
Hospital staff contacted Merton social services, Westminster coroner's court was told.
Mr Perrin, a retired joiner, was dehydrated after staff "miscalculated" his body mass index, the inquest was told.
A 20-centimetre bedsore had not been dressed properly and he was soaked in urine and faeces.
Other wounds left him in "agonising pain", it was claimed.
He was admitted to St George's Hospital on 6 February and died three weeks later.
Coroner Dr Shirley Radcliffe recorded a verdict of death by natural causes contributed to by neglect.
Reader views (5)
why doesn't this article generate more public opinion/outrage?
Articles about Katie Price get a better response.
Part of the problem in our society perhaps. We are all to blame...we tut and shake our heads and do nothing.
- Dee, Toronto, Canada
The levels of abuse of the elderly and outright neglect are growing more numerous and very serious. Some of the people who run and own these places are shadowy figures. Often not known in the districts they open up business in. Few seem accountable for how these places are run or for the underpaid and overworked staffing conditions.
More and more of us will be getting savvy as we get older and will resist ever having to go into one of these wretched places. A throwback to Dickensian times, profit appears to be the sole purpose and motivation for their existence since many local authorities have closed their premises.
It seems that most prisoners in our gaols have more human rights observed than the elderly in some of Britain's 'care' homes.
- Amanda Thompson, London
How can this place which neglected the needs of this poor ill man even be called 'A Place Of Care' ?
Have the people running this palce been prosecuted?
Has the place now been closed down?
- Darnthesafetynet, London W11 1NR
Is Eltandia Hall still open? Have the management been prosecuted? Who is being held accountable?
- Ab, London
Well since this home didn't implement a proper care plan for Mr.Perrin according to the recommendations of the Care Quality Commission Report on them, perhaps we individuals can initiate an action plan.
1)Search Eltandia Hall, Norbury, online and read the Report on the home by the Care Quality Commission
2)Write to the Manager of the home. Address on its online page.
3)Write to Merton Borough Council within whose jurisdiction the home comes.
Enough is enough. The neglect and abuse of the vulnerable elderly today is simply not acceptable. Everyone else seems to have rights except the elderly.
- Janet, Londom, UK
