Investigation and inquest
On 1 December 2015 I commenced an investigation into the death of Margaret Jane METCALFE. The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 14 March 2016. The conclusion of the inquest was ACCIDENT including medical cause of death of Acute and Chronic Subdural Haemorrhage with contributory factors of Congestive Cardiac Failure and Ischaemic Heart Disease.
Circumstances of the death
Mrs Metcalfe sustained a fall whilst resident at Rosedale Care Home on 25 October 2015. She was transported to the University Hospital of North Tees where she passed away on 23 November 2015.
Coroner’s concerns
Mrs Metcalfe had requested help from staff by pressing a hand held buzzer. Her bed had been fitted with a specialist alarm that should have alerted staff that she had got up out of bed. For unknown reasons staff were not alerted by either the hand held buzzer or bed alarms but instead were alerted by hearing a “thud” in the corridor when Mrs Metcalfe fell.