NHS Trust and care home fined for residential care failure
Safety and health issues with an NHS Trust and home care facility lead to a fatal stabbing. A member of the care staff was stabbed to death while working. She was 58 at the time of her death. She was stabbed by a man, 55, living at the care facility. He used a knife to attack her in the kitchen. Another worker was subsequently attacked when she stepped in to help her co-worker.
Health and safety audits by the HSE and Central Bedfordshire Council determined that the home wasn’t suitable for the resident. He needed to be placed in a different location, one that would not put others at risk. Unfortunately, the Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust did not accurately assess the risk he could pose.
There was a trial held at Luton Crown Court for this incident. Those in the court learned the individual had bipolar disorder. He needed to be in a facility that could deal with his aggressive behaviour as well as have proper management of his violent actions. The council was fined 75,000 pounds. They also had to pay over 300,000 pounds. The other entity was fined 150,000 pounds and had to pay around the same in court costs. An incident such as this did not have to occur. Had proper risk assessments of this individual been conducted the danger could have been lessened. A woman, a family member, a loved one would not have had to die.
