Image source, Family handout

The former manager of a care home has been fined more than £55,000 over the deaths of two residents.

Patricia Sutton, 77, died after choking at Rossendale Nursing Home in Lytham St Annes, Lancashire, in November 2019 and 82-year-old John Chapman died after breaking his leg in a fall in 2020.

Caroline Taylforth, 62, pleaded guilty to two counts of causing avoidable harm by failing to provide adequate care.

Inspectors had rated the home inadequate in June 2021.

Blackpool Magistrates' Court heard Ms Sutton had experienced three previous choking incidents at the home before her death.

The court was told a motion sensor had alerted staff that Mr Chapman, who was at risk of falls, was out of bed in the early hours of 14 January 2020 and staff found he had had another fall and he had broken his leg.

He died a few weeks later.

A post-mortem examination concluded his broken leg was a secondary cause of death.

Image source, Google

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found that in both cases prevention measures were overlooked or poorly implemented, putting residents at unnecessary and avoidable harm.

The care home was shut after it was rated inadequate.

Ms Taylforth was sentenced to £20,000 per victim, plus £15,000 for costs plus £180 victim surcharge.

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