Concerns of future deaths raised at nursing home

The chief coroner has been notified of the concerns following the death of a resident

A coroner has raised concerns about the risk of future deaths at a nursing home after a resident died.

Victor Costello lived at Primrose Court Nursing Home in Stockton-on-Tees when he was taken to hospital in February 2020, where he died of natural causes six days later.

Jo Wharton, assistant coroner for Teesside and Hartlepool, said concerns about his care needs at the home were not "effectively" communicated and required action.

The care home has declined to comment.

Mr Costello, who was 84 at the time, was being fed via a tube and doctors ordered he should not eat or drink anything via his mouth.

This order is usually given when patients have severe problems with swallowing.

However, an inquest into his death held on 13 March heard staff had not been told there were concerns from his family he had been drinking from taps.

Mrs Wharton said: "The nurse in charge and the two care assistants who were on duty on the morning Mr Costello was taken to hospital, all denied being aware of such concerns."

She deemed it serious enough to require a prevention of future deaths report.

It means the chief coroner is notified of the concerns, and organisations involved are required to implement a plan to prevent deaths in the future.

Writing to Stockton Care Limited, which runs the nursing home, Mrs Wharton added: "In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or your organisation) have the power to take such action."

Mr Costello's cause of death was due to bronchopneumonia and ischemic stroke.