Nursing home not to blame for death of woman, 97, after fall
Coroner Patrick O'Connor said there was a 'delicate balancing act' to allow nursing home residents to walk around.
A coroner has returned a verdict of accidental death in the case of an elderly woman who fell in a nursing home.
Patrick O'Connor delivered his decision in the case of Nuala Higgins (nee O‘Regan), aged 97, of 11 Mountain View, Kiltimagh who died on June 7, 2023, less than 24 hours after she suffered multiple fractures after a fall at the Sonas Nursing Home, Knock. Mr O'Connor also made it clear that the nursing home was not in any way to blame for the accident while Mrs Higgins' family praised the staff for their wonderful care of their mother.
At a preliminary hearing in September, Gda Joan Grady told the court that she received a call to attend the Mayo University Hospital mortuary after Mrs Higgins died while awaiting surgery. The deceased, a widower and mother of four adult children, was formally identified and consultant pathologist Dr Fedal Bennani carried out a post-mortem. He said Mrs Higgins was quite frail and had injuries on her right side consistent with a fall.
Dr Claire Welford of Sonas Nursing Home said Mrs Higgins had been living there for a couple of years and had mobility issues.
Nurse Suman Bhaskara said she came downstairs on June 6, 2023, and found Mrs Higgins on the bedroom floor. Consultant Paul O’Grady said Mrs Higgins sustained injuries to her right hip, and right elbow and her condition quickly deteriorated.
Mr O’Connor said it was a delicate balancing act to allow nursing home residents to walk around, adding that they are entitled to autonomy regardless of their age.
Mr O’Connor and Sgt Gerry Flannery sympathised with the family.
