Husband Angry About Local Care Home Neglect

A husband has won damages for his wife over the care she received at a private care home.

Aden House Ltd, which operates Aden House Care home in Clayton West agreed an out of court settlement with Sheila Maddison's husband, Ken.

Sheila Maddison, 73, suffers from Multiple Sclerosis. She is doubly incontinent, and cannot swallow or do anything for herself. Ken had been his wife's carer for 37 years when he suddenly collapsed at home on 6th October 2008. He had been feeling unwell but had put off seeking treatment, knowing that Sheila would have to go into a care home if he were hospitalised.

Mr Maddison explains: "I was taken to hospital for emergency surgery and my wife was admitted to Aden House. Her social worker and district nurse made sure that her medical notes and care plan were taken with her. During her 9 days at the home Sheila's condition, which had been stable, deteriorated badly. On 15th October, when I went to see her, I found her in her room, saturated in urine. Her catheter had been removed and the catheter site was sore, bleeding and had pus oozing from it. The next day when I went to collect her from the home, I found her slumped in a wheelchair just inside the main door of the building, alone. Later on, at home, the district nurse found an abscess behind Sheila's knee. After being re - catheterised enormous quantities of retained urine were drained; my wife must have been in terrible discomfort. It took myself and a team of district nurses six months to repair the damage.

I did not take this action for financial gain, but to highlight the total lack of safe care either in care homes or NHS hospitals, for people who can do nothing for themselves. I know of many carers throughout the country who find it necessary to spend all day in care homes or hospital wards still caring for their loved ones as they would at home.

Sheila and I would like to thank Sarah for taking on our case when nobody else would”.

Mr Maddison, on his wife's behalf accepted an out of court settlement of £1,500 from Aden House's insurers.

Sarah Young, solicitor for the couple, of Ridley and Hall comments: "it seems clear that the staff had no idea about looking after a resident with severe MS. One has to hope that this was a rare occurrence and that Aden House has learned a lesson from this case so that staff at this home now have the necessary skills to care for the most vulnerable people".

For further information please contact Sarah Young on 01484 538421 Mob 07860 165850 or email sarah.young@ridleyandhall.co.uk
Sarah Young is Managing Partner of Ridley and Hall. She specialises in personal injury and contentious probate.