South Tyneside care home owner won’t face charges

THE company in charge of a South Tyneside care home at the centre of a police probe will not face any criminal charges. But the detective leading the inquiry into deaths at St Michael’s View Care Home, today, told the Gazette: “The case is not closed.”

Ten workers and two managers were suspended from the home, run by Southern Cross Healthcare Group, earlier this year after an investigation into the death of pensioner Joyce Wordingham was launched.

The 80-year-old Alzheimer’s sufferer died from bronchial pneumonia on February 20, and police were alerted after an out-of-hours GP called out to the home voiced concerns.

During the probe, police also began looking into the circumstances of 15 other deaths at the home in Westoe, South Shields, dating back to January 2009.

A file regarding Mrs Wordingham’s death was delivered to a London-based doctor specialising in geriatrics to determine whether a lack of care contributed to her death.

His report was then handed to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) to decide on whether a charge of corporate manslaughter against the company could proceed.

But last night, at a special meeting held at the home, Detective Chief Inspector Ian Bentham revealed no criminal prosecutions will be brought against senior management.

But the Gazette understands police are still looking at whether any charges can be brought against staff under the Mental Capacity Act 2005 in relation to Mrs Wordingham’s death.

The Act, introduced in 2007, introduced a new criminal offence of ill-treatment or neglect of a person who lacks capacity.

A person found guilty of such offence may be liable to imprisonment for a term of up to five years.

Officers are also still investigating information given by a 45-year-old female staff member, who voluntarily handed herself into police in April.

Det Chf Insp Bentham said: “Following an in depth and thorough investigation, a file was submitted to the CPS in relation to St Michael’s View care home.

“The initial decision by the CPS is that there will be no prosecution or further action in respect of criminal liability relating to the senior management of the home. However, the police investigation is ongoing.

“We will continue to work with our partnersand liaise with families as the investigation progresses. The welfare of the elderly residents and their relatives remains our priority.”

Meanwhile, emergency staff drafted in by South Tyneside Council and South Tyneside Primary Care Trust to care for residents after the police probe began are still working at the home.

A spokesman for the council and the PCT said: “We take the safety and welfare of vulnerable and elderly people placed by the council into privately-run care home accommodation very seriously, and we have been working with our partners, the police and South Tyneside Primary Care Trust, throughout this investigation.

“The quality of care in St Michael’s View Care Home is being closely monitored, and we have introduced additional specialist social care and NHS health advice and support.

“We are being supported in this by the PCT, which is providing specialist knowledge regarding nursing care.”

St Michael’s View Care Home has the capacity for 64 residents and includes patients suffering from dementia.

In March, the home was dropped to a zero-star “poor” rating in the latest report carried out watchdog body, the Care Quality Commission.

Southern Cross was today unavailable for comment.