Pensioner found dead under bed at Cradley Heath care home
A pensioner was found dead slumped under her bed at a Cradley Heath care home, an inquest heard.
Retired school secretary Margaret Janney was found by care staff at the Roxburgh Care Home who did not call 999 to report the death.
Caroline Bomber, who was later dismissed from the home, told Black Country Coroner’s Court how she found the 93-year-old on her left side beneath her own bed on February 10 this year.
Miss Bomber said she checked for a pulse before moving her on to the bed.
The then deputy manager did not call 999 but asked colleague Sammie-Jo Gardner to call 111 to report the death, despite care home advice stating that in the case if a fall the emergencies services should be called.
Speaking at the inquest, Ms Bomber said: “If I’d have known what I know now I wouldn’t have moved her. I would have just called 999 straight away.
“I thought because she was on end of life care that 111 was what I was supposed to call. Looking back now that was a bad descision. I have no idea how she happened to be on the floor under the bed, none at all.”
The last person to see Margaret alive, Miss Gardner, said she saw her at 3.30pm. Speaking at the inquest she said: “I was quite close to Margaret. It is a horrible way to go.” Paperwork raised at the inquest yesterday revealed that the elderly woman should have been checked every 30 minutes.
However, a colleague of Miss Bomber, care assistant Lesley Mason said that she was told on that day that checks and paperwork had not been completed since 2pm.
Miss Janney was found at around 6.55pm. Records also showed that Ms Bomber had advised night staff who had found Miss Janney were not to discuss what had happened with the day staff.
Miss Mason who was the first person to see Miss Janney at 6.55pm said: “I wouldn’t describe her as being under the bed. I could see her quite clearly from the foot of the bed looking down.”
Speaking after the first day of the inquest, a spokesman for the home said: “The health, safety and wellbeing of all those we support is our number one priority.
“As soon as this incident came to our attention, we acted immediately to notify the authorities. The members of staff in question have been dismissed and we are continuing to work with the relevant authorities.
“As the inquest is currently ongoing, it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”
The inquest continues.
