A care home has been accused of neglecting a 92-year-old woman who was taken to hospital after her family called for assistance.
Mother-of-five Georgina Phyllis Stopp was taken from Chestnut Court Care Home in Frizlands Lane, Dagenham, to Queen’s Hospital on Tuesday, March 31, after paramedics were called in by daughter Janet.
The grandmother’s family had been prevented from visiting because of general restrictions imposed during the coronavirus lockdown.
But reportedly-mixed messages from staff when Georgina’s daughters called to see how she was prompted Janet to demand a visit.
In one, a worker allegedly said staff knew Georgina was OK because they could hear her banging on a table. But the family explained that was because she was signalling for help to eat.
When Janet visited she found her mum, who has dementia and Alzheimer’s disease, dehydrated and with a high fever and cough.
Janet’s sister Linda Applegate said their mum’s heart rate was 210 when checked by medics but that she is now stable. Georgina has tested negative for the coronavirus since being admitted.
The Post reported last month that there were two confirmed cases of Covid-19 at the home.
Linda, speaking on Wednesday, April 1, said: “If my sister had not gone to the home yesterday and rang the ambulance, the carers would have walked into my mum being dead this morning.
“They were letting her die.”
She added the family understood the pressures the coronavirus was creating, but alleged Georgina’s treatment was degrading.
A Chestnut Court Care Home spokeswoman said: “We are sorry to hear that the family of Ms Stopp were concerned about the levels of care provided at Chestnut Court.
“It is our understanding that the family’s concerns have been raised with the local adult protection team.
“We will be available, and welcome the opportunity, to assist the safeguarding team with their investigation in line with their processes.”
A Barking and Dagenham Council spokesman said: “We can confirm that this complaint is now being investigated through our safeguarding procedures and that we are closely working with the home during the coronavirus pandemic.”
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