A CARE home has been fined £400,000 after a vulnerable pensioner went missing and died outside in a freezing courtyard.
Susan Greens, 95, vanished at Springfield Bank Care Home in Bonnyrigg, Midlothian, before staff found her in an external area wearing her nightwear in December 2021.
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She had fallen and struck her head after she managed to get out of an unlocked door.
Susan was rushed to Edinburgh Royal Infirmary for treatment but passed away two days after she was admitted to the hospital.
A probe by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) found she died because she was able to access the courtyard while unsupervised and had fallen.
It is believed she spent up to an hour and a half outside before staff came to her aid.
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Devastated son Robert Greens, 61, told The Scottish Sun of his anger after placing his mum in the home thinking she would be safe.
He said: “It’s disgusting, she was 95-years-old and we thought if she was in there then at least she would be looked after and have some quality of life.”
Robert, from Peebles, added: “When she was in her own home she fell and ended up with a brain bleed. It was hard for us to care for her with dementia. We thought she would be safe.”
Springfield Bank Care Home is run by HC-One Ltd and is a purpose-built care home offering nursing and nursing dementia care.
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HC-One Ltd appeared at Edinburgh Sheriff Court and admitted breaching health and safety laws and were fined £400,000.
They had £600,000 knocked off the fine because they admitted the failings in court, but Robert said no amount of cash will ease their pain.
He added: “The judge told them despite the discount it was going to be a serious fine, but you still cannot put a price on my mum’s life.
“I know the judge gave them the maximum possible fine, but this is a company that’s making millions.”
Speaking after the case, HSE inspector Kerry Cringan said: “This error cost a vulnerable old lady her life – families think that their loved ones will be safe in care.
“This was tragic and wholly avoidable. Had the doors been kept locked at night or had there been a system where staff would be told if the doors to the courtyard had been opened, the accident could have been avoided.”
The Greens family also filed a complaint with the Care Inspectorate about the “horrendous” treatment from care home staff.
In a scathing report, inspectors upheld five of the family’s seven complaints to the care ombudsman.
Their investigation found that Susan was not adequately protected from harm and that staff failed to properly assess her head injury and medical condition. They ruled that the actions they took increased her risk of harm.
It was found Mrs Greens was not supported by staff who had “the skills or competence to manage an emergency situation safely.”
The Ombudsman also upheld complaints relating to staff’s treatment of the Greens family following the tragic incident.
A spokesperson for HC-One said: “Our heartfelt condolences and sincere apologies are with the family and loved ones of Ms Greens, who was a much-loved member of our home.
“We are clear that this tragedy should never have occurred and that we absolutely must learn lessons from it.
“Following the accident in 2021, we comprehensively reviewed the safety and security of all our homes.
“Colleagues have received additional training around the themes identified in this case.
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“New door alarms have been fitted to alert colleagues when an external door is opened so appropriate checks can be completed, and we have introduced additional monitoring and supervision practices.
“While we know that we cannot change what happened to Mrs Greens, we hope the hearing and the comprehensive action we’ve taken will bring her family a sense of closure.”
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