Anne Horner
11 Feb 2015 · Coroner Simon Nelson · Manchester (North)
The coroner's concerns
1. bathroom facilities close to bedroom
“The deceased had been a resident at Oak Lodge Nursing Home for approximately 6 weeks prior to her death during which time she was able to access and use bathroom facilities that were close to the bedroom which she occupied.”
2. door striking head
“At approximately 02:3ohrs on the 6th March 2014 whilst Mrs [name redacted] was within the toilet cubicle within the bathroom she sustained a minor head injury when the door to the cubicle struck her head as it was being opened by a Health Care Assistant who was undertaking room checks.”
3. door striking head causing fatal injury
“At approximately 05:30hrs on the 2th5 March 2014 Mrs [name redacted] was involved in a virtually identical incident, again whilst sitting within the toilet cubicle. Sadly later that morning she was found unresponsive and notwithstanding her transfer to the emergency department at Salford Royal Hospital, she was diagnosed as having an unsurvivable brain injury.”
4. outward opening doors insufficient for resident slumped forward
“The evidence at Inquest confirmed that the bathroom facility which included the toilet cubicle was constructed in or about 1988 in compliance with the relevant Planning Permission and Building Regulations. I accept that the facility had been used on many previous occasions without incident. The fact however that a resident sustained injury on two separate occasions within a period of 6 weeks gives rise to concern. I anticipate that there are many establishments within England and Wales where toilet”