An investigation has found that a man died at Highgate Care-owned Cranswick Lodge Care Home because of a number of shortcomings including inadequate risk assessments.
A significant settlement has been awarded to a widow in Yorkshire whose husband died after suffering repeated falls at Highgate Care-owned Cranswick Lodge Care Home.
Highgate Care owns 25 care homes across Yorkshire, North Lincolnshire, the North East and Staffordshire.
The husband endured a series of falls during his brief stay from July to October 2020, culminating in a head injury from which he never recovered. He was admitted to hospital and subsequently passed.
An investigation by law firm Wilkin Chapman revealed significant shortcomings in the care provided. These included inadequate risk assessments, failure to follow the falls team’s recommendations, insufficient supervision and a lack of action after prior falls.
Nursing evidence demonstrated that these failures directly contributed to the man’s falls, which could have been avoided with proper care.
Keeping care homes accountable
Some of the deceased’s falls were actively concealed by the facility before and after hospital admission, and he had contracted a bleed on the brain as a direct result. Further to this, he began to suffer from bed sores and was denied one-to-one care – despite his extensive injuries.
Despite the defendant’s initial claims that their actions were “reasonable”, a review of the evidence led to the care facility making concessions.
“This outcome highlights the critical importance of holding care providers accountable,” said Jonathan Baker, partner at Wilkin Chapman.
“Variability in care standards can have devastating consequences, and our role is to ensure these failings are addressed. The settlement not only acknowledges the poor care provided but also emphasises the need for consistent and high-quality standards in care homes.”
The compensation amount remains confidential at the client’s request, though it is understood to be a five figure sum.
