A RESIDENT at a care home in Cwmbran fell trying to reach the toilet bell and broke both legs – she died 16 days later.
Llanyravon Court Nursing Home resident Patricia Parfitt – who died aged 90 in March 2019 – rang the toilet bell for almost two hours.
The broken legs of Patricia Parfitt. Photo: Kathryn Rimmer
TheArgus has previously reported concerns about the Llanfrachfa Way care home.
The home has been instructed to take steps to improve issues around cleanliness, kitchen hygiene and staffing levels, as well as medication management and governance systems and processes. by the end of October.
Her daughter Kathryn Rimmer said: ‘She started ringing the toilet bell at 5pm and she kept ringing it, they moved the bell so she couldn’t press it – that’s what They did.
“At 6.45pm she leaned forward to press the buzzer and fell out of her chair – she broke both legs at the top end.
Patricia Parfitt in happier times. Photo: Kathryn Rimmer
“She had to go to hospital for 16 days and then died. They couldn’t operate on him, so they put plaster up to his thighs.
“I stayed with her for 16 days – I returned home when she was in hospital dying, and I was disgusted by their response.
“They didn’t say they were sorry or offer their condolences.
“It was a terrible time; this kind of thing really weighs on you.
Ms Parfitt, who lived in the house for almost four years, celebrated her 90th birthday in January 2019 – she died two months later.
Patricia Parfitt in hospital – she died 16 days after breaking both legs. Photo: Kathryn Rimmer
Ms Rimmer said: ‘She still had a few years left and she still had her faculties – it’s very sad to think she could still be here now.
“At night she would press the buzzer and call to go to the bathroom and on several occasions they would tell her to pee in her diaper pants.
“Another time, she turned the TV on so loud they came to her because they weren’t answering.
“It was good at first, but I saw the deterioration of the house and her.
“She was constantly having urinary tract infections, they put water in the room but they put her out of the way so she couldn’t reach it.
“I dread to think what happens to people who aren’t being watched by people.”
Senior staff at Llanyravon Court met with residents, families and representatives last Thursday, alongside Torfaen County Borough Council and Aneurin Bevan Health Board, to discuss concerns raised by CIW.
Last Wednesday, manager Neil Reid said: “The inspection was daunting, but we are confident we can achieve compliance.”
Llanyravon Care Home has been contacted for comment.