Care giant fined over chippy death

The UK’s biggest care home provider has been ordered to pay £170,000 in fines and costs after a vulnerable resident choked to death on fish and chips during an entertainment evening at its Chorley premises.

Four Seasons Health Care (England) Ltd was prosecuted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an investigation found that Rita Smith should only have been provided with pureed food as she had swallowing difficulties and was at risk of choking.

Preston Crown Court was told that the 75-year-old, who suffered from dementia and motor neuron disease, was admitted into Euxton Park Care Home in November 2010. The home was made aware that Miss Smith had difficulty swallowing, needed pureed food on a teaspoon and supervision by a carer while eating.

However, only two weeks later, she was given fish and chips in a cone along with other residents while she was at a film and supper evening in the care home on 1st December 2010.

When a member of staff began clearing up the meals during the film, she noticed Miss Smith slumped in her chair. A nurse attempted to resuscitate her but she was later pronounced dead. A post mortem found the primary cause of death was choking.
The HSE investigation into the incident found neither of the staff who organised the film and supper evening had been made aware that Miss Smith could not eat solid foods.

A specialist assessment carried out at the local hospital, recommending she be supervised at meals and prompted to slow down and swallow twice during each mouthful, had been provided to the care home but was not communicated to staff.
It also emerged that a carer at the home had left Miss Smith alone to eat un-pureed Weetabix a few days before the film and supper evening.

Speaking after the hearing, HSE Inspector, Shellie Bee, said: “This was a tragic death which could have been avoided if Four Seasons Health Care had made sure systems were in place to protect residents. As it was, a vulnerable and elderly woman paid the price for their failures.