Inquest told of wardrobe accident at Telford care home

An 84-year-old grandmother died after a wardrobe fell on top of her at a Telford care home, an inquest heard today.

Gwendoline Norris, from Donnington, had only been at the Barclay Gardens care home in Wellington Road, Donnington, for a day when the purpose-built wardrobe tumbled down on her.

Mrs Norris, who was 4ft 11ins, was rushed to the Princess Royal Hospital where had an operation on a broken hip.

She died in hospital three days later, on March 20, after suffering a stroke.

The inquest heard staff at the home had not broken any health and safety rules despite the wardrobe not being fixed to a wall.

But company bosses said since the incident, on March 17, all wardrobes were now attached to walls with hinges.

Mr John Ellery, coroner for Telford & Wrekin, recorded a narrative verdict of a natural death contributed in part by the accident.

Mrs Norris' son, Kevin, said: "Because my mum was on her own we assume that she pulled the wardrobe on top of her.

"Two care assistants came in when they found her screaming and called the ambulance. When they got her to hospital they found she had a fractured hip and required an operation.

"She recovered from the operation but died a couple of days later after having a massive stroke."

Mr Norris added he was happy with the verdict.

He said: "The stress of the wardrobe falling and the operation is likely to have contributed to the stroke.

"It was a freak accident and I believe the wardrobe should have been attached to the wall. I'm glad to hear they all now are."

David Coull, chief executive of Coverage Care which owns Barclay Gardens, said: "I hope the family of Mrs Norris can take some comfort in the findings."

Mr Ellery said: "This is not a criticism of Coverage Care. This was a purpose-built wardrobe which came from a manufacturer who specialises in furniture for care homes.

"If I say the verdict is natural it would ignore the part played by the wardrobe and if I said it was accidental it would ignore the stroke Mrs Norris suffered. Drawing all this together I record a natural death contributed, in part, due to an accident."

By Joseph Masi