A MATTER OF DEEPREGRET
Care home admits liability in tragic death of dad Richy
A Wishaw care home has admitted it was at fault over the death of a multiple sclerosis sufferer who choked on a sausage roll.
Richy Passmore died after being left to eat lunch on his own, despite clear instructions that he should always be supervised.
The 47-year-old dad was rushed to hospital after the alarm was raised at Beechwood Care Home but he could not be saved.
A joint probe by Police Scotland and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) was launched into Richy’s death last September.
His devastated family instructed solicitors to launch a legal action against Beechwood. The care home has now admitted liability for the tragedy.
Richy’s daughter Rachael, 21, a university student, said: “For them finally to admit they were in the wrong is a relief. That’s all we ever wanted.
“They knew my dad couldn’t be left alone to eat but we were told there was some sort of emergency and they had to go.
“We don’t know the exact details of what that emergency was but, as a result of those actions, he choked and later died.
“We feel so let down. We put my dad’s life into their hands.
“We knew that one day we were going to lose him but to lose him earlier than we needed to has been devastating.
“It was hoped he would pass peacefully with all his family around him. But for it to happen when he was alone and probably terrified made his death so much worse to deal with.
“My dad was such a loved man, he meant everything to his family and he deserved so much more than to die like that.”
Dad-of-three Richy, who was diabetic, was diagnosed with primary progressive MS in 2009.
The neurological condition damages nerves in the body and makes it harder to walk, talk, eat and think.
He was moved to Beechwood, run by Holmes Care Group, in October 2018.
In January, the former builder’s devastated relatives told the Sunday Mail that they wanted answers about the care he received at the home, which has been at the centre of three abuse cases in the past two years.
A report on the police and HSE probe has been passed to the Crown Office and is still under consideration.
The Crown Office said: “Following a joint investigation by Police Scotland and the HSE, a report was submitted.
“This is being considered by the Crown’s Health and Safety Investigations Unit and the family will continue to be kept updated.”
Beechwood Care Home said Richy’s death “is a matter of deep regret”.
It added: “Mr Passmore was a much-loved member of our care home community and our thoughts remain with his loved ones at this difficult time.
“We accept the finding of the HSE and apologise that our record-keeping did not meet the robust standards expected.
“Over the past year, we have made significant improvements to policies to reduce the risk of it happening again.”
North Lanarkshire Council said: “Following the conclusion of the investigation, our role is to work with the home to ensure the recommendations are implemented and to continue to monitor the quality of care.”
The Care Inspectorate said: “We are aware of this tragic case and our thoughts are with those affected.
“This service was re-registered under a new provider in July 2020.”
The police said: “We received a report of the sudden death of a 47-year old man on September 18, 2019. A report was submitted to the procurator fiscal.”
Legal firm Thompsons said: “We’re extremely glad that liability in the case has been admitted by the care home.
“The family have shown remarkable courage in pursuing this case.
“We will move forward with settling the financial redress they are entitled to.”