Son of burns victim expresses relief at end of inquest
19 Jun 2009
The son of Violet Smith has spoken of his relief at the conclusion of an inquest into the death of his 87-year-old mother even though Huddersfield Coroner Roger Whittaker today recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.
Violet Smith, a grandmother and former cricket club stewardess from Heckmondwike died two months after being admitted to Pinderfields General Hospital, Wakefield in January 2008, suffering from four percent burns.
She was rushed to hospital after she was left on a commode of hot water by staff at Carlinghow, a specialist care home for elderly people with dementia run by Charlton Care Ltd of Edgware, Middlesex.
She died two months later following major skin grafts and after developing a chest infection.
Rodney Smith, Violet’s son, said: "Despite this verdict of natural causes, and despite the outcome of the trial earlier this year, I am relieved that the inquest is now over.
"What my mother went through in the lead up to her death was horrific - made all the worse by the fact that no one could explain to her why she was in such pain.
"Her Alzheimer’s meant she had no idea what had happened to her and of course meant she could not tell us. She screamed the place down in agony every time her dressing was changed in hospital or she had to be moved. It was so very distressing for both of us and it’s a five week experience that will haunt me forever."
The family’s solicitor, clinical negligence specialist Rachelle Mahapatra at Irwin Mitchell’s Leeds office added: "We are pleased that the care home has accepted liability and will now be pursuing a civil claim on behalf of the family.
"This claim will never compensate for what happened to Violet or for the loss of a dearly loved mother and grandmother, but will help bring the family a certain level of closure for the horrific injuries she suffered during her stay at Carlinghow."
Mr Smith continued: "It broke my heart to see her in such a state. I just wanted her to end her days peacefully, not after weeks of suffering.
"She was a fighter – the consultant told us that normally under these circumstances a person of her age and frailty would not survive this kind of trauma. I feel that if she had not had to use up all her reserves of energy fighting the burns she may have had the energy to fight off her chest infection.
"I just hope that lessons have been learnt by all involved, it is clear that better training and a review of treatment practices is required so that other fragile and vulnerable elderly dementia patients are saved from similar treatment in future."
back