'Mavis'' story exemplifies the importance of post-surgical care within care homes

Mavis had a past medical history of dementia and kidney failure. She was a resident at a care home when she sustained a fall, which led to a fractured hip. She was admitted to hospital and underwent surgery to repair the hip fracture. She was discharged back to the care home two months later. She, unfortunately, developed a sacral pressure sore which eventually healed after five months.

However, three months later, Mavis developed a further pressure sore which deteriorated to eventually reach Grade 4. She was admitted to hospital and unfortunately passed away a few weeks later. The cause of death listed the infected sacral sore secondary to poor mobility as contributing to death.

A number of failings were identified with respect to the care that Mavis received at the care home, including a failure to perform pressure ulcer risk assessments, failure to ensure regular repositioning of Mavis to minimise the risk of pressure sores developing, failure to adequately manage the sores, failure to conduct and record regular skin inspections, and a failure to maintain Mavis’ nutritional status.

JMW represented Mavis’ family and secured a settlement of £5,625.