Coroner criticises care home over death of resident

A WOMAN with Alzheimer's disease and dementia died after developing infected pressures sores which worsened due to care failings while living at a Birtley care home, a coroner heard.

- SAM VOLPE Health Reporter

Pauline Stirling died on March 7 2024 at Covent House Care Home on Durham Road.

Gateshead and South Tyneside coroner Leila Benayounes found, during an inquest which concluded on October 9, that Ms Stirling had died “due to the effects of chronic infection due to pressure damage on a background of natural disease”.

She has now issued a formal “prevention of future deaths” notice to the care home's operator - Prestwick Care, which is part of the Malhotra group - urging action is taken to address concerns.

A spokesperson for the care operator said that the firm apologised for any distress caused and said a number of changes had been put in place since the incidents surrounding Ms Stirling’s care - including “changes to management as well as clinical staff who no longer work for Prestwick Care”.

Ms Benayounes wrote how Ms Stirling saw her health deteriorate in December 2023.