Home admits liability over pensioner’s death

Doreen Betts, 78, died after contracting sepsis – a serious infection caused by the pressure sores on her feet.

Three months before she died her GP recommended her nursing home arrange for a sores specialist to visit her.

Law firm Irwin Mitchell said the nursing home, Kersal Mount Nursing Home, which is now called The Laurels and The Limes, in the Broomhill area, did not refer her and her sores continued to worsen until the infection became so severe that it reached the bone.

By the time Mrs Betts was referred to hospital, she was seriously ill with dehydration and renal failure.

She died in May 2009, three months after her GP first recommended she was referred to a specialist.

At her inquest, consulting pathologist Nicholas Tiffin found that, on balance, Mrs Betts would not have died had she not developed these infected pressure sores, Irwin Mitchell said.

The care home has admitted it was at fault and agreed a settlement with the family, the law firm said.

Mrs Betts’ son, Stephen, said: “We were distraught to find that the home had ignored the recommendation to refer her to see a specialist.

“This is not about the settlement.

“We just wanted to ensure others do not suffer as my mother did.

“Nothing can bring her back – nor can it alleviate any of the horrendous pain and discomfort she went through in those final weeks.”

Sarah Rowland, a medical law specialist at Irwin Mitchell, said: “Mrs Betts was clearly a victim of neglect.

“Had the nursing home acted with the proper level of care and attention, Mrs Betts would not have died in such a painful manner.”