Care home ‘at fault’ after Alzheimer’s sufferer died choking on a disposable glove

A CARE home neglected a patient who died after choking on a disposable glove, an inquest heard.

Alzheimer’s sufferer Robert Davidson, 79, had previously swallowed a glove at Aran Court Care Home but carers failed to stop it happening again.

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When it did a nurse unsuccessfully performed the Heimlich manoeuvre.

A 999 call was delayed because a worker did not know how to get an outside line at Aran Court, Birmingham. Robert died from cardiac arrest.

The coroner’s narrative verdict concluded neglect and treatment failures contributed to his death.

The narrative verdict also stated: “The level of training for staff dealing with vulnerable people was insufficient.

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“Training was also inadequate in dealing with an emergency situation, in particular calling the emergency services and when to initiate cardio-pulmonary resuscitation.

"His death was contributed to by neglect.”

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Coroner Louise Hunt said she was also concerned about the lack of “sign posting” concerning patients and said it was also of concern that carers did not need any form of qualification.

“It is very much dependent on what the provider gives. I think it is something I need to raise nationally,” she said.