Sam Harmel represented the family of Kathleen Umpleby at an Inquest into her death. Kathleen, who suffered from dementia, had been a resident of Pendleton Care Home from November 2021.
Between November 2021 and May 2022, save for periods in hospital, Pendleton Care Home were responsible for providing basic care, which included amongst other things, ensuring that Kathleen’s teeth were cleaned.
Following an Inquest at Bolton Coroner’s Court, it was found that there had been a failure to provide basic oral hygiene support, including failing to make a referral to a dentist, failing to undertake oral assessments and/or oral care and a failure to notice and document the condition of Kathleen’s mouth in April 2022.
The Coroner, Mr. Nelson, was of the view that on the balance of probabilities all of the above failings probably caused or contributed to her death.
The Coroner concluded that Kathleen died as a result of a combination of poor oral hygiene and acute dehydration, leading to parotitis and systemic sepsis contributed to by neglect.
Sam Harmel was instructed by Lucy Mellor of JMW Solicitors.
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