Autistic man fell at Carmarthen care home before death

Heddwyn Hughes died at 67 after breaking his neck at the nursing home he lived in

A disabled man was found to have a fractured neck which left him paralysed days after a fall at a residential home, an inquest has heard.

Heddwyn Hughes, who had autism and epilepsy, died in October 2015, about five months after the fall at Bro Myrddin care home in Carmarthen.

The 67-year-old was described as a "deadweight" by staff and suffered "not the softest of landings".

His sister told the inquest it was "difficult" to see him "so helpless".

Mr Hughes had a learning difficulty and began having seizures when he was about 10 months old.

He had poor communication skills, speaking few words and generally communicated with staff by smiling or slapping the table or his legs, but could feed himself and "shuffle" around the home.

Expert witness Dr Martin Hetzel said he believed Mr Hughes' fractured neck had not come as a result of an epileptic fit.

The fall happened when he was taken for a shower before breakfast, with staff describing him as "lethargic" and "floppy".

Sophy Miles, representing Mr Hughes' family, said this showed "there was something wrong".

Heddywn Hughes was one of five residents at the Bro Myrddin care home

He was being helped from his bed when he fell, despite attempts to catch him by support workers Phillip Ackers and Eryl Evans.

Mr Ackers and Ms Evans hoisted him back onto the bed and a doctor was called, who then said an ambulance was needed.

Following the fall, Mr Hughes was subsequently unable to feed himself.

Ms Miles asked why the decision was made for Mr Hughes to stand up, and Mr Ackers said it was his arms which were floppy and he had not noticed anything wrong with his legs.

Mr Ackers told the inquest "we would not have conceived that he was injured" after the fall, which was said to be from "about a foot-and-a-half".

Ms Evans described Mr Hughes as a "large man" who was unsteady on his feet, and agreed it was vital for staff to pick up on any signs he was unwell - but that she thought he was able to stand when he was helped off the bed.

He was one of five residents at the Bro Myrddin care home, run by Hywel Dda University Health Board.

A health board investigation recommended there should be criteria of when support workers should call 999.

The inquest at Milford Haven coroner's court continues.