Inquest to investigate death at nursing home
Nursing home death
07/01/2008
An inquest is to investigate the circumstances in which a seventy-four year old Birmingham pensioner died after apparently being left overnight in her wheelchair whilst in the care of a private nursing home.
Birmingham coroner, Mr Aiden Cotter, is due to hear during a week-long inquest beginning on Monday 7th January, that Brigid O'Callaghan from Sutton Coldfield
had been admitted to the BUPA-run Amberley Court Nursing Home in Edgbaston for one week’s respite care.
She died on 28th October 2005 on the second night of her admission. It is believed that she died after a wheelchair strap became entangled around her neck causing her to choke. Interim cause of death has been given as asphyxia and obstruction to respiration.
Following her death, West Midlands police launched an investigation and a member of staff from the nursing home was arrested and interviewed but, to date, no charges have been brought.
Mrs O'Callaghan was a widow and leaves behind five children and two grandchildren.
Jonathan Peacock from the Birmingham office of national law firm, Irwin Mitchell, who is representing the family, said: "Mrs O'Callaghan had been a very independent lady until she was badly injured in a road traffic accident in February 2003. She suffered a fractured pelvis and significant head injuries, which resulted in her spending 11 months in hospital.
"When she was finally discharged in January 2004 she was completely dependant upon a wheelchair and unable to care for herself. Mrs O'Callaghan's daughter moved back in with her and, together with other members of the family, cared for her on a full-time basis.
"In July 2005 Mrs O'Callaghan was admitted to Amberley Court Nursing Home for one week to enable her family to take a short holiday. Her stay went well and the family felt reassured that she could return to the home for future respite care.
"Mrs O'Callaghan returned to Amberley Court on 26th October 2005 for what was to have been a one-week stay but sadly was found dead in her wheelchair on the morning of 28th October."
Mr Peacock added: "There are a number of unanswered questions and apparent inconsistencies regarding Mrs O'Callaghan’s last hours and the family very much hope that the inquest will shed light on how she came to die in such tragic circumstances."