Suspended sentence as Shropshire care home resident not checked after fall

Michael Ralph, then 86, was left sitting in a chair for two hours following the incident which was captured on CCTV at Bradeney Care Home, in Worfield near Bridgnorth.

Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday heard how night duty nurse Mmpatji Motaung failed to examine Mr Ralph for signs of injury, or to make any record of the fall, which happened on November 17, 2017.

The victim, who had dementia, and his wife Peggy, then 80, both lived at the home.

Sleeve

Footage played in court showed Mrs Ralph walking into the hallway followed by her husband who was pulling at her sleeve to get her attention. They both fell to the floor and two care assistants went to their aid.

Miss Suzanne Francis, prosecuting barrister, said that after the fall Mr Ralph was unable to put weight on his foot and he was helped to a chair, and even though Motaung, 66, was there, she did not go to him.

"In case of incidents like this, Motaung is there to assist and assess while the resident is on the ground and provide the help required.

"Mr Ralph was left in the chair for two hours. She walked past him several times, but she did not speak to him or attempt to help him except for when she appeared to bend over to tell him off for tugging at his wife. This was not in spite.

"The care assistants all confirm that at no point did she ask if he needed further examination or assistance."

Fracture

Mrs Francis said Mr Ralph was taken to bed in a wheelchair and twice complained of feeling pain for which he was given paracetamol. It was not until the next morning when another nurse found out about the fall at 10.50am that she spotted that the victim had a fracture and an ambulance was called.

Mr Ralph had suffered broken thigh bone and underwent a half hip replacement as a result.

She said when the nurse was interviewed about the matter she claimed that she had not carried out the assessment because she was tired.

The court heard that Motaung has since been sacked by the home and her pin number has been suspended by the authorities.

The court also heard that Mr Ralph passed away in August 2018.

In mitigation, Mr Paul Smith, barrister, said Motaung, a South African national, was now unable to work and had health issues of her own.

Character

"This case is about failing in duty, rather than spite. She has lost her career and good character," Mr Smith said.

Motaung pleaded guilty to one count of wilful neglect at a previous hearing.

Judge Peter Barrie told the court that he agreed that the defendant's actions were not spiteful, but that the custody threshold had been crossed.

He jailed her for six months, suspended for 12 months. She must attend 30 rehabilitation activity days and was ordered to pay £200 costs and a victim surcharge.

"You are a qualified and experienced nurse and when presented with a fall more or less in front of your eyes, despite it resulting in serious injuries you allowed it to go untreated for so many hours," Judge Barrie said.