Failure to provide adequate oral hygiene care led to Elderly lady’s admission to hospital

Background

We acted for an older lady who sadly was admitted to hospital due to staff in the care home failing to look after her oral hygiene.   Our client was initially admitted from hospital to a care home with a plan for oral hygiene to be implemented and followed. She required full assistance from care staff for these needs as she could not carry them out herself.      Care staff failed in their duty to carry this out and her oral hygiene deteriorated to the extent that it caused a build-up of dry secretions causing partial obstruction of her airway.  This resulted in difficulty breathing causing her pain and distress. As a result she has an urgent admission to hospital and a safeguarding referral was made by the hospital due to poor care.  She was found at hospital to be dirty and with dry skin due to lack of good personal care. Our client was treated properly in hospital, the obstruction removed and she was made comfortable.

Representation

We brought a claim against the care home for negligence due to the failing of their staff to provide the standard to care expected.   They had failed to maintain oral hygiene in accordance with the oral hygiene plan, allowed a buildup in her mouth to the extent her airway was obstructed and she was admitted to hospital.    

Resolution

We achieved a financial settlement on behalf of the estate of our client who subsequently died for unrelated reasons. The case highlights that those employed to provide care must do so at a high standard, failing which the consequences can be very real and significant.

Contact Irvings

Irvings Law are specialists in handling claims involving care home neglect and injury and are committed to fighting neglect in care homes and securing financial compensation for victims of care home neglect.

Has your loved one been injured as a result of neglect or injury in a care home?

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We act on a “no win – no fee” basis. If your claim is successful, the costs are paid by the Defendant. If the claim is not successful, you do not pay our costs.

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