Brain Injury Survivor With Dementia Spent Four Months In Hospital

The family of a care home resident hospitalised for four months after developing sepsis and a severe pressure sore has reached a settlement regarding the problems he endured.

Robert David Breen, who has dementia, was admitted to hospital from Tudor Bank Nursing Home in Southport days after he was assessed by a dietician after suffering significant weight loss.

Upon his admission to hospital David, who suffered a serious a brain injury when he was young man, was diagnosed with a grade four pressure sore – the worst possible classification – on his left hip, as well as sepsis due to a chest infection. The severity of his condition meant that the 78-year-old spent months in hospital.

Following the problems, David’s family instructed specialist medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate a claim on his behalf.

David’s family has joined its legal team at Irwin Mitchell in calling for lessons to be learned. It comes after the legal experts secured an undisclosed settlement from Tudor Bank Ltd, the operator of Tudor Bank Nursing Home.

The care home company admitted it breached its duty of care towards David.

Expert Opinion

“David’s brain injury and dementia means he requires specialist support. His loved ones placed great faith and trust in the nursing home to provide David with the best possible care. Sadly this did not happen and David’s family still feel let down and extremely upset by everything that David has faced.

“Loved ones who are placed in care homes are often among the most vulnerable members of society and we would urge all nursing home providers to ensure the highest standards of care are provided to residents at all times.” Michelle Thomson - Solicitor

David suffered a brain injury which left him with epilepsy in a motorbike crash when he was 21.

He was admitted to Tudor Bank Nursing Home in April 2014 after he was diagnosed with dementia.

At the start of June 2016 he was seen by a dietician following his weight loss. On 11 June he was taken to Southport and District Hospital by ambulance after he was found to be drowsy, sweating, breathing rapidly and struggling with a high temperature.

After a prolonged hospital admission he was discharged to another care home in October 2016.

David’s niece Julie Rumsey, 58, from Liverpool, said: “I had visited my uncle towards the end of May and was really shocked by his condition. He seemed to be in a very vague state and his weight loss was obvious – his notes said he had actually lost around six kilogrammes in just 30 days.

“There was no obvious improvement across the next few weeks, but Uncle David’s condition means he struggles to speak so we could not get a clear picture of how he personally felt. It was devastating when I got a call to say he had been taken to hospital.

“It was only after a few days of treatment that we were actually told how bad the pressure sore was. It was just appalling and the entire family was stunned.

“The whole ordeal was an absolute nightmare and even three years on it is hard to talk about it. Care homes have such an important duty to carry out, but we are still angry by everything that has happened.

“While we are delighted that he is healthier and happier in his new home, we would not want others to face the issues my uncle has.

“By speaking out we hope that lessons are learned to improve patient care.”

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