NHS trust prosecuted over elderly woman's fall
January 18, 2008
Hospitals and organisations which provide care for vulnerable people need to be aware of the risks of falls from windows, according to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).
The warning comes after an incident in which a 77-year old woman fell approximately 5.5 metres from a window at the Swindon Victoria hospital which was not adequately restricted.
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, where Iris Carey was a patient, was prosecuted over the accident.
The Trust was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,502.
HSE inspector Alison Fry said: "The incident involving Iris Carey was entirely avoidable. The Trust had already identified a risk with the windows on this unit, as window restrictors provided to prevent falls did not meet the required standard."
Iris Carey suffered a broken ankle and a compressed fracture of a vertebrae after the fall.
Ms Fry recommended that suitable safeguards should be provided to restrict window openings with maintenance practices in place to ensure precautions work properly.
Find out more about health and safety at work
The warning comes after an incident in which a 77-year old woman fell approximately 5.5 metres from a window at the Swindon Victoria hospital which was not adequately restricted.
Avon and Wiltshire Mental Health Partnership NHS Trust, where Iris Carey was a patient, was prosecuted over the accident.
The Trust was fined £20,000 and ordered to pay costs of £12,502.
HSE inspector Alison Fry said: "The incident involving Iris Carey was entirely avoidable. The Trust had already identified a risk with the windows on this unit, as window restrictors provided to prevent falls did not meet the required standard."
Iris Carey suffered a broken ankle and a compressed fracture of a vertebrae after the fall.
Ms Fry recommended that suitable safeguards should be provided to restrict window openings with maintenance practices in place to ensure precautions work properly.
Find out more about health and safety at work
More Slips, Trips and Falls news:
Police seminar 'includes working at height training' - December 24, 2008HSE investigates Darwen accident - December 18, 2008
South Birmingham PCT to pay GBP 37,500 - December 2, 2008
Hospitality workshop focuses on slips and trips - December 2, 2008
Final slice of health and safety Cake - December 1, 2008
