Complaints over home at inquest
A grandmother was only given two showers during her three-month stay at a nursing home shortly before she died, an inquest heard.
Social care bosses at Walsall Council were so concerned about the standard of care at Lakeview Nursing Home, Stafford Road, in Great Wyrley they stopped sending pensioners for a time.
The family of Joan Sims told yesterday's hearing the 51-year-old diabetic had made a catalogue of complaints during her stay.
Her daughter Joanne Sheppard said she was given few showers despite being advised by her consultant this would help.
Staff also allegedly ignored her buzzer , left her on bed pans for long periods and delayed calling the doctor when her conditioned worsened, resulting in her being admitted to the hospital where she eventually died weeks later on April 13, 2008.
Miss Sheppard, aged 27, of Red House Lane, Aldridge, told the hearing: "She used to cry because she was supposed to be hoisted or put on a slide sheet, but they used to put their arms under hers and drag her which caused friction on her pressure sores.
"She was left on the bed pan so long it caused discomfort, staff were abrupt with her, many times they didn't wear gloves and didn't clean her wounds properly."
Former Lakeview regional manager Christine Armstrong told the inquest Mrs Sims had posed challenges due to her weight, diet, hygiene regime and health problems. She admitted it had been unacceptable for her to been once left on a bed pan. She said staff gave Mrs Sims, of Neath Way, Mossley, Bloxwich, daily bed baths.
Black Country Coroner Mr Robin Balmain recorded a verdict that she died of natural causes.
