Family of man neglected at care home welcome sentences

THE SENTENCES handed to the three Bromsgrove care workers guilty of neglecting an 85-year-old man have been welcomed by his family and the police.

Gail Broadway, 37, Glen Walsh, 23, and Maxine Turbill, 47, were all given prison terms suspended for twelve months after a jury convicted them of not properly treating Thomas Milroy at Breme Care Home, on Providence Road, Sidemoor, on the night of February 25 to February 26 last year.

Mr Milroy, a grandad and great-grandad was suffering advanced Alzheimer's disease and was hospitalised for five weeks and treated for hypothermia after been found in the corner of his room having not been checked on all night.

Following today's (August 28) sentencing, the family released a statement through Nesbitt Law Group LLP, which is acting on behalf of the family in a civil case against the care home.

It stated: "It became apparent that we needed to question whether dad had ever been checked during the night, and it has also left us unsure as to whether he received his correct medication.

"We firmly believe that as a result of the care dad received in Breme House, we lost the man who we knew and cared for as dad, and instead ended up with a frail old gentlemen unable to stand weight bearing, let alone walk.

"We believe this whole incident was a life-shortening event for him. RIP Thomas Milroy."

Breme Care has since addressed its policies and procedures to ensure such incidents are prevented in the future and patients are cared for properly.

Police hope the punishments will allow the family to move on as well as serve as a warning to other carers.

Harry Owen defending Gail Broadway said staffing levels were now much more appropriate than they had been at the time.

Det Con Paul Lofthouse said: "This has been a very complex and tragic case and our thoughts are with the relatives of Mr Milroy. "We hope the outcome provides them with some measure of solace and closure.

"It is a huge decision for a family to place a loved one in a care home and when that goes wrong it can have a devastating impact on that person and their family.

"Vulnerable people whose welfare is entrusted to care homes and similar establishments deserve to receive the highest standards of care.

"Sadly, it is clear that the attention given to Mr Milroy fell well below those standards.

"There are a lot of excellent carers out there but for the few who neglect to carry out their duties, the consequences can be dire. "Hopefully this case will serve to remind everyone working in the care sector of their responsibilities.

"We will not hesitate to seek to prosecute those who do neglect to do their job properly and mistreat patients they are supposed to be looking after."

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