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Alfred Sanderson |
Neglect ruled out in Cheverton Lodge death
A RETIRED minicab driver died from blood poisoning after a wound went septic during a three-day stay in a nursing home, an inquest heard yesterday (Thursday).
Alfred Sanderson, 85, known as Alfie, died after collapsing at Cheverton Lodge nursing home in Upper Holloway following an operation at the Whittington Hospital in May.
Last night his friend Matt Halpin criticised the care he received at the nursing home, and said on the night before Mr Sanderson died, he visited him and rang the buzzer in his room for help for an hour, but nobody came.
Barchester Healthcare, who run Cheverton Lodge, a home with 52 beds, last night said they were “concerned to hear these new allegations” but defended their care and referred reporters to a “good” rating by industry regulators.
Mr Halpin, who looked after Mr Sanderson with his wife Rose for 30 years, said: “On the last night I saw him alive he was lying half naked on the chair. Myself and my grandson had to pick him up. He said he rang the buzzer 30 times and nobody came. I then rang the buzzer – I waited an hour and nobody came.”
Dr Andrew Reid ruled Mr Sanderson, of Ray Walk, Andover estate, Holloway, died as a result of blood poisoning after a surgical wound – the result of treatment for an inoperable hernia – became infected in June.
St Pancras Coroner’s Court heard from nursing home staff how Mr Sanderson had been at Cheverton Lodge for three days. He was spotted lying on the floor in his room “collapsed and not breathing”.
Mr Halpin told the court the first he knew of his friend’s sudden deterioration was when staff called him in the middle of the night telling him “that he [Mr Sanderson] had fallen out of bed”.
Speaking afterwards Mr Halpin said his friend was “not properly looked after” and described staff as “not very helpful”.
Last year the Tribune reported how Cheverton Lodge had been singled out for criticism by coroner Dr Reid after staff panicked when John Jackson, another resident, collapsed. In December Dr Reid said: “This case raises concerns about the skills of staff nursing patients at the Cheverton Lodge.”
Since then the home has been reviewed and its contract was renewed by Islington in April.
Mr Sanderson was discharged from the Whittington after they had given his operation wounds the all clear, but two days later – the day before his death – the wound was described as “gaping” and “oozing serious fluid” by the home’s manager, Mary Rabbitte.
Despite the GP who was contracted to the home treating Mr Sanderson with antibiotics, he died from blood poisoning.
Mrs Rabbitte – the only witness apart from Mr Halpin called by the coroner – said on the night Mr Sanderson died he was being checked at half-hourly intervals. She also told the court he had told her he had “reservations” about being at Cheverton and wanted to go back to the Whittington.
As an “intermediate” patient – those who need some level of medical care but are discharged from hospital – Mr Sanderson was only supposed to be at the home for six weeks before going home.
Ruling Mr Sanderson died of natural causes “as a complication of surgery and other pre-existing conditions”, Dr Reid did not criticise the nursing home.
He said: “There was no lack of basic medical attention [and] there has been no neglect in his care.”
A pathologist’s report, read out in court, described the cause of death as multi-organ failure due to blood poisoning brought on by an infection.
Speaking afterwards Mr Halpin described how his friend had a “very hard life” but in spite of this – and an horrific doorstep attack that left him needing 100 stitches in his head five years ago – he was “a very jolly man” who would hand out presents to families in his neighbourhood.
He added: “Alfie was a very well-known figure in Holloway Road and a very kind and generous person.”
He said Mr Sanderson went on to become a chef in the merchant navy before taking up a job driving taxis.
A spokeswoman for Barchester Healthcare said: “The team at Cheverton Lodge is concerned to hear these new allegations. As far as we were aware Mr Sanderson’s friend had no issues with the care.
“In addition, the coroner’s report has found no issue with the care and the home has received a ‘good’ rating from the industry regulators [CSCI].
“We are happy to meet with Mr Sanderson’s friend to discuss any concerns which he may have.” |
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