Woman, 89, died after an assault by a dementia patient, inquest hears

Woman, 89, died following an assault by violent dementia patient who was left on mixed hospital ward for nearly three months because staff couldn’t find a care home to take him, inquest hears

• Caryl Mclaren, 89, was flung to the floor by a dementia patient, an inquest heard 

A frail pensioner died following an assault by a violent dementia patient who had been left on a mixed ward for nearly three months because staff couldn’t find a care home to take him, an inquest heard.

Caryl Mclaren, 89, was flung to the floor in a toilet cubicle as she desperately tried to stop the man – referred to as Mr X – from pushing his way in.

She sustained head injuries and fractures to her hip, wrist and a rib hours before she was due to be discharged from Ipswich Hospital in Suffolk. She died six days later.

Mrs Mclaren’s family believe there were missed opportunities to intervene and prevent the assault, Ipswich Coroner’s Court heard.

A patient safety report concluded the incident could have been avoided if there had been a formal risk assessment of Mr X’s aggressive behaviour, which included slapping another patient. He had not been referred to a dementia specialist.

Details emerged at a time when the number of NHS patients having to endure mixed-sex wards has reached an all-time high.

Caryl Mclaren, 89, was flung to the floor in a toilet cubicle as she desperately tried to stop the man, an inquest heard

Mrs Mclaren’s daughter, Lorraine Moss, told the hearing: ‘We spoke with her beforehand and she was happy. She said she was feeling great and couldn’t wait to come home.

‘She suffered horrendously at the end and this has left us devastated, shocked and heartbroken.’

Mrs Mclaren, who had a number of health conditions but was independent and still walked to the shops near her home in Holland-on-Sea, Essex, was admitted to the hospital on New Year’s Day last year with shortness of breath.

She told Ms Moss that she was looking forward to going home after she was cleared for discharge on January 5, shortly before the assault.

Mr X had arrived at the hospital on October 15, 2021, when his care home was no longer able to look after him because of his advanced dementia.

He was declared fit for discharge on November 29 but attempts to rehome him failed, largely due to the difficulty finding a care home that would be able to accommodate his challenging behaviour.

Witness statements presented to the inquest on Monday stated he displayed violent behaviour towards patients and staff and would often wander around the ward in a confused and agitated state.

Security guards had to deal with him on five occasions, including when he slapped the other patient and for a physical assaulted on a staff member he thought was hotel owner who was overcharging him.

A nurse raised concerns in an incident form in December 2021 after he punched a healthcare assistant and tried to hit another patient.

The frail pensioner died following an assault by a violent dementia patient who had been left on a mixed ward for nearly three months, the inquest was told

But a formal assessment under the Mental Health Act was never carried out. The ward was also short of two healthcare assistants on the night of the assault.

Mr X had his own toilet but didn’t recognise it and often chose to use the bathroom which Mrs Mclaren was using.

Dr Shazia Awais, a consultant physician in general and geriatric care at the hospital, told the inquest nurses heard a ‘loud bang and [Mrs Mclaren] calling for help’.

He added: ‘A man was standing outside and she was on the floor. She had been pushing back as the patient kept trying to get in before losing her balance and falling to the floor.’

Mrs Mclaren’s family believe there were missed opportunities to intervene and prevent the assault, Ipswich Coroner’s Court heard

Consultant Dan Coates, who works in older people’s services and was caring for Mr X at the time, added: ‘He has no recollection [of the incident]. He would not be able to understand or rationalise his behaviour.’

Tara Brown, the senior lead for safeguarding and complex health at East Suffolk and North Essex NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, told the hearing the death ‘could have been prevented’ with more staff on hand and better supervision.

The hospital has implemented a 12-point improvement plan since the death, including explaining to staff when patients should be assessed.

The inquest was adjourned until June 6.

Almost 5,000 people were admitted to mixed-sex wards in January, the highest figure since the Government pledged to tackle the scandal in 2010, following a long-running Daily Mail campaign.

Hospitals that flouted a ban previously faced fines of £250 per breach but the penalty was dropped in April 2020.

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