£29,500 bill after death of woman in care home
A CARE home owner has been ordered pay almost £30,000 after poor health and safety procedures led to the death of an elderly resident.
Abdulaziz Kachra, founder of Country Court Care which owns St John's Residential Care Home, Hawthorn Bank, Spalding, appeared at Spalding Magistrates' Court, on Wednesday, in relation to the death of Florence O'Connor (74).
Mrs O'Connor died after falling from a first floor window of the home on June 24, 2008.
The court heard the window had been fitted with suitable restrictors, but that they were not properly managed and as a consequence they were not working correctly when she fell.
It was accepted that the most likely scenario is that they were disconnected, or not properly re-connected, at the time of the accident as a result of recent repair work.
Mr Kachra admitted an offence under the health and safety act and was fined 12,000. He was also ordered to pay 17,500 costs.
Speaking afterwards, Mr Kachra said: "I take my role in the care of the elderly and vulnerable very seriously and this tragic incident came as a great shock to me and my staff members.
"I deeply regret what happened to Mrs O'Connor and have accepted responsibility. My thoughts are of course with the family and friends of Mrs O'Connor.
"I have taken immediate extensive remedial action to improve the safety features in every window in the home."
South Holland District Council, which brought the prosecution, said this case should serve as a reminder that health and safety must be taken seriously.
Community services manager Nigel Payne said: "Mrs O'Connor's death was particularly tragic because she died as a direct consequence of failings in a care home where she and her family should, quite rightly, have felt that she was safe from harm.
"The management of the windows at the home fell well below the standard required and Mrs O'Connor's death was preventable.
"All employers must ensure they properly manage the hazards that arise from their work activity and take action to remove or reduce any risks arising as far as possible.
"We hope that other employers will see this conviction as a sign that the council takes its health and safety endorcement role seriously and will not hesitate to consder formal action where serious contraventions are found."
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