Premier Care Homes Limited has been fined £20,000 and ordered to pay £27,500 in costs following prosecution by the CQC.

The Northeast care home operator pleaded to guilty to one offence of failing to discharge its duties under the Health and Social Care Act in relation to the death of resident, Mrs Bruce, who was at risk of falls while she was living at Picktree Court. 

The provider was found to have failed to ensure Mrs Bruce, who had a history of falls, had the necessary support in place.

Mrs Bruce had a number of falls while living at Picktree Court, including slipping from a toilet, as well as some unwitnessed falls where she was found on the floor by staff. 

The CQC brought the prosecution as it believed that if Premier Care Homes Limited had put effective systems in place, Mrs Bruce would not have been exposed to such a significant risk of harm. 

Alison Chilton, CQC deputy director of operations in the North, said: “This is a tragic case and my thoughts are with Mrs Bruce’s family following her death. 

“People who are vulnerable should be able to expect safe care and treatment. It is unacceptable that Mrs Bruce’s safety wasn’t well managed by Picktree Court when she needed them the most. This is why I welcome their guilty plea. 

“It is also unacceptable that Picktree Court failed to put in place precautions following their acknowledgement of the risk of falls to Mrs Bruce, which could potentially have avoided this tragic outcome.  

“We know that the majority of people receive good care when they move to a residential home, but if we find a provider has put people in its care at risk of harm, we take action to hold it to account and protect people in future. 

“I hope this prosecution reminds Premier Care Homes Limited, and other health and social care organisations they must provide care in a safe environment that meets people’s needs and starts to provide this woman’s family with small degree of closure.”