A DEMENTIA sufferer whose hands were severely burned after they were accidentally placed in very hot water while in care went on to develop an infection which led to his death, an inquest has been told.
Robert Gill, 66, was taken to Barnsley Hospital on April 16 after suffering burns to his hands whilst he was cared for by staff from Barnsley-based TLC Homecare at his home on Sunningdale Drive, Cudworth.
Robert’s injuries were treated, but after multiple readmissions to the hospital he died of a chest infection on April 26.
Care worker Luke Batson, who knew the family well and was visibly distressed at the inquest, was tasked with caring for Robert on April 16 along with Amy Jo Humphreys.
Luke and Amy Jo arrived at Robert and wife Carol’s house at 7am and began his morning routine, which was established in a care plan put together by TLC.
Robert liked to put his hands in the sink as it was filled with water, which the carers said he did independently while they washed the rest of his body.
However, they neglected to measure the temperature of the water and Robert, who was non-verbal due to dementia, could not communicate the fact his hands were burning.
“While we were drying him I noticed his hands looked quite red, and I couldn’t understand why they were so red,” Luke said.
“Then it struck me that I didn’t check the temperature of the water. As soon as the penny dropped I ran out of the bathroom and rang Carol, and said ‘I’m terribly sorry but I think we might have scalded his hands with the water’.
“I was really upset that some of the actions I had done that morning have ended up with a man’s hands being scalded. I was horrified.
“I never intended to have anyone hurt themselves. It’s very distressing having to re-live it, it’s something that has been running through my head for a long time.”
Because Robert could not communicate verbally, Luke said that he and Amy were unaware that Robert’s hands were burning in the water.
Alongside Carol, Luke and Amy Jo proceeded to pour cold water over Robert’s hands until an ambulance arrived.
Robert was discharged from hospital on April 20, before being readmitted the following day and discharged on April 25.
He was admitted again on April 26 and died later that day due to a chest infection.
Coroner Tanyka Rawden said in her narrative verdict: “Whilst being assisted with his personal care Robert submerged his hands in water, the temperature of which had not been checked, resulting in burns which caused his death.”
Ms Rawden gave the cause of death as a chest infection, and noted the burns to Robert’s hands were a significant contributory factor.
The coroner also recognised Robert’s dementia and a heart condition, hypertensive cardiomyopathy, as secondary contributory factors.
Luke and Amy Jo were suspended by TLC until further notice after the incident.
Carol Gill was married to Robert for 47 years, and worked alongside him at a local manufacturing company.
She said before his illness he was a ‘hard-working man who did everything for his family.’
In addition to wife Carol, Robert left three daughters Debbie Abdurrahman, Donna Hickman and Julie Dye, five grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
In a joint statement, Carol and her daughters said: “Robert was a much loved husband, father and grandfather.
“As a family we are concerned that if this incident with the hand burns had not occurred Robert would not have passed away when he did.
“We are grateful that this has been recognised by the coroner today.”
A spokesman for TLC Homecare said: “TLC Homecare Ltd were very sad to hear of the death of Mr Gill and our thoughts and condolences remain with the family.
“TLC Homecare Ltd have been providing care in Barnsley for over twenty years and to Mr Gill for over three years. Mr Gill had complex care needs and received a number of care visits on a daily basis from a team of care workers.
“Mr Gill was admitted to hospital as a result of scalding to his hands. Over the course of the next few days he was discharged, readmitted and then discharged again but contracted a chest infection and passed away on April 26.”
