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Grandmother suffers horrific injuries after fall at north-east care home

Jill Symmonds was left with horrific bruises across her face
Jill Symmonds was left with horrific bruises across her face

These are the horrific injuries a grandmother suffered in a fall at a north-east care home.

An investigation has been launched into the incident at Sunnybank Care Home, as the pensioner’s furious family last night demanded answers about why it had taken nine hours for them to find out she had been taken to hospital.

Jill Symmonds, who has a history of fits, fell at the home in Cruden Bay on Tuesday.

It is understood the 78-year-old had already suffered a fit that day, but was left alone and had another turn and fell from the toilet, badly injuring her face.

But her family claim nobody called to let them know, and that it was not until several hours later – when they called to check on her – that they found out about the incident, and that Mrs Symmonds had been taken to hospital for treatment alone.

Granddaughter Emma Stephen last night vowed to continue pushing for answers, but suggested staffing levels at the home could be to blame.

She also revealed it is not the first time Mrs Symmonds had fallen at the home during her five years there, having previously broken both her legs during another fit.

Operators Meallmore Ltd admitted it was “unacceptable” her relatives had not been informed, and said the matter was under review.

Mrs Stephen, from Stuartfield, was so angry about what happened to her grandmother that she posted a photograph of her injuries online in a post that has now been shared more than 1,000 times.

She said last night: “When I made that post, I was quite upset and quite angry. We were getting no answers from the home.

“Now, they are doing a full investigation and we have a meeting on Monday with them – we have to give them the chance to explain themselves.”

Ms Symmonds was left with horrific bruising across most of her face, and swollen purple welts over both eyes.

“The blame at the moment is what we’re struggling with,” Mrs Stephen added.

“She’s had a fall and it’s pretty horrendous, but it’s not the first fall that has happened. This is probably the most severe, but what we’re trying to get to the bottom of at the moment is why she has fallen.

“It does appear that care homes do not have the level of staffing that people like us think they should have, which is totally wrong. I think the majority of carers at the moment do a fantastic job and I really do take my hat off to them. It’s something I used to do when I was younger, and it’s not something I could now.

“But the problem is it cannot be OK if people are falling like this.

“However, until we get the facts, we won’t know who is responsible – and I won’t stop until I get them.”

A spokesman for Meallmore Ltd, which runs Sunnybank, said management at the home have since been in contact with both Mrs Symmonds’ family and the Care Inspectorate to report the incident.

He said her loved ones had not originally been contacted because of a “re-training issue” with the staff member involved.

“We are still reviewing the incident and, as is our policy following any significant event, we will undertake a full review with the resident, her family and other relevant professionals to update the resident’s care plan to minimise the risk of a future incident,” he added.

“The fact the resident’s family weren’t alerted as soon as she was admitted to hospital was unacceptable and we wholeheartedly apologise.

“We take the prevention of falls very seriously and each resident is assessed, in line with national falls guidance, to limit their risk.

“However, it is important to note we do not restrict movement or choice of people in our care. Any incident such as this is reviewed to ensure lessons are learned for the future and care plans, along with ways of working, are then adapted accordingly.

“As a company, we take matters like this extremely seriously, as the care, comfort and security of our residents is always our top priority.”