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Cheverton Lodge |
Troubling death of patient at care home that’s like an upmarket hotel
Coroner voices concern about staff and politician calls for unannounced spot checks
WHEN John Jackson collapsed in his bed at Cheverton Lodge care home, there was, in the words of one of the nurses on duty, “panic” over how best to help him.
No mouth-to-mouth resuscitation was given and there was a delay in phoning for an ambulance. By the time paramedics arrived 30 minutes later, all they could do was pronounce the pensioner dead.
This chaotic account of Mr Jackson’s desperate fight for life – given in evidence to a coroner’s inquest last week – hardly fits the chi-chi care home brand marketed by owners Barchester Healthcare, one of the industry’s most successful operators in recent years.
It certainly concerned St Pancras coroner Dr Andrew Reid enough for him to warn at the end of the inquest: “This case raises concerns about the skills of staff nursing patients at Cheverton Lodge.”
Barchester last night (Thursday) said it had conducted its own internal investigation. A spokeswoman said: “Cheverton Lodge Care Home has conducted an internal inquiry based on CSCI [the regulator] standards and has found that practice in the home is of an excellent standard.
“Our residents’ health and wellbeing are always our utmost priority and we work closely with our regulators and the authorities to ensure the best standards of care.”
Islington’s social services, which placed Mr Jackson at the home in Upper Holloway, have rejected demands for a full-scale investigation into the death, despite growing pressure from opposition councillors.
Liberal Democrat department chief Councillor John Gilbert said: “We are very concerned about this incident and have been in touch with them [Cheverton Lodge], and with the local primary care trust and London Ambulance Service.”
Cllr Gilbert is bound to face further demands from Labour group leader Councillor Catherine West, who pressed this week for wider inspections of care homes, especially the ones the council has contracts with.
She said: “I believe that councillors ought to be carrying out unannounced spot checks on care homes to see for themselves the conditions for older people and people with disabilities living in care homes.”
Cllr West’s campaign has turned into something of a personal crusade on behalf of 71-year-old Mr Jackson, whose inquest was attended only by a niece.
The councillor’s unanswered questions centre on the nurses’ level of expertise in recovery techniques for use in emergencies and on whether care homes have enough staff.
On the grounds of “commercial sensitivity”, the Town Hall would not say how much money Islington hands over to Barchester each month, leading to speculation that the sum is likely to run into thousands of pounds. Cllr Gilbert would only add that an arrangement with the company expires in April.
Private clients spend from £900 a week on accommodation and care at Cheverton Lodge. The waiting list for places is over a year long.
It is clear that care homes have proved a lucrative operation for Barchester, whose investors include the billionaire Irish horse racing magnates John Magnier, JP McManus and Dermot Desmond, shrewd businessmen who rarely back a loser.
They first invested in 1994 and profits have increased nearly every year. Last summer, a refinancing deal saw the three investors collect a £125 million dividend while turnover for the year is estimated to be more than £350 million.
The company has built an enviable reputation for surpassing its industry rivals by offering fine touches to its care homes, taking care of appearance and focusing on cleanliness to the extent that one reviewer for a national newspaper said that Cheverton Lodge resembled an upmarket hotel.
No expense is spared, TV gardener Charlie Dimmock has promoted landscaping work at some of Barchester’s homes, while TV chef Paul Rankin was brought in to inspire chefs when planning menus.
Mike Parsons, Barchester’s managing director, has said in the past he got involved after seeing the poor state of care homes elsewhere in the country.
Cheverton Lodge had a glowing inspection report from the Commission for Social Care Inspection earlier this year. One recent visitor said: “If you step into the foyer there is no obvious sign it is a nursing home. It could be an airport hotel from the outside. Inside, it is a bit like Jeremy Bentham’s famous panopticon prison, with the nurses having views of the corridors on each floor.
“There is a hair salon where patients are pampered and coq au vin is on the menu.”
Mr Jackson’s friends and his niece, Christine Goodwin, are less impressed. Ms Goodwin took the opportunity to grill Cheverton Lodge’s staff at the inquest.
Her uncle was not there long enough to enjoy the home’s celebrated facilities but those who know Cheverton Lodge are surprised that criticism has been levelled at a place considered a market leader.
Mr Jackson died in August, only a week after being admitted following treatment for kidney disease. His discharge from hospital had been described as “poorly planned” by his GP.
Ms Goodwin was in court as the inquest heard how he suddenly collapsed, taking staff by surprise.
Dr Reid, who has outlined his concerns in a letter to Islington’s primary care trust, said: “The issue of training and education should be reconsidered for all the nursing homes in the jurisdiction.”
Mr Jackson’s friend and neighbour, Linda Ralph, said on Monday: “He was a lovely bloke. A true London gent. I was so shocked when I found out. It won’t be the same without him. My husband and him were as thick as thieves. He always gave me a wave from his window.
“To think people go to a nursing home to get looked after and then this happens. It is an absolute tragedy.”
Cllr Gilbert said: “Islington Council has a contract for 20 beds and 10 intermediate care beds, for patients who are referred by social services.
“Individuals have a choice over which care home they choose.
“The primary care trust is responsible for procedures surrounding resuscitation in nursing homes, and we’ll be working closely with them. The amount of funding the care home receives from the council is commercially sensitive information. However, we can confirm that the contract expires in 2008. Care homes are inspected by the Commission for Social Care Inspection.”
A Barchester spokeswoman said: “Staff at Cheverton Lodge care about each and every one of the residents they look after.
“They were saddened by the loss of Mr Jackson and extend their condolences to his family.
“Following the coroner’s inquest, which found that Mr Jackson died of natural causes, Cheverton Lodge has taken on board the recommendation to update their PCT training on CPR [cardiopulmonary resuscitation].
“This had already been planned for January as part of ongoing training. Cheverton Lodge respects the privacy of its residents and staff in all matters and is therefore unable to give any further comment.” |
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