Pensioner Died After Being Fed Day's Worth of Food in 30 Minutes (UK)

By Chris Irvine

15 Oct 2009

Mr Moore died as a result of the food pumped down his throat at the private nursing home in half an hour, with it spilling over into his lungs.

Care assistant James Keith had changed the food bag at Kitnocks House Nursing Home in Curdridge, Hants, despite not having any formal qualifications

The liquid food overflowed, leaving Mr Moore fighting for his life. He died on July 28 last year at Southampton General Hospital.

Mr Moore, 65, who suffered from dementia, was taken to hospital but died nine days later from bronchial pneumonia.

Recording a verdict of accidental death at the inquest on Wednesday, Central Hampshire deputy coroner Simon Bruge said the death was "avoidable".

"I intend to write to those in charge of Kitnocks to express my concerns and require that they undertake a thorough review of this pump and ensure that the warning letter is distributed to those who use the equipment so that this does not happen again," he said.

"This occurred as a result of human error and failure to be aware of the pump problem."

A Government letter has already been sent to the home warning that the pump could release a free flow of food if it had not been configured in the right way.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Moore's cousin Margaret Lockwood, 70, said she was "appalled" at the lack of staff training.

"Although he (James Keith) had been there for five years, he had no outside training. This should be compulsory.

Abridged
SOURCE:    The Telegraph, UK
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