20052021

12

Thursday, May 20, 2021

Newbury Weekly News

NEWBURY NEWS

Council apology over care home failings Inadequate measures put in place to prevent elderly resident falling

Blooming great competition four themes – On the Street Where I Live, Wild Greenham and In My Garden, as well as an Open cate- gory.

GREENHAM in Bloom is ask- ing residents to share their im- ages of Greenham’s gardens, streets and wildlife. The photography competition is open to all residents, there’s no en- try charge and there will be prizes for the winners of each category across three age groups. This is in place of the annual parish gardening competition that cannot be held this year due to coronavirus restrictions. Greenham residents are en- couraged to pick up a camera and take snaps of garden and nature life instead. The competition this year has

to actions taken. “The council has apolo- gised to the family member. “The LGSCO confirmed that they were satisfied and the complaint was subse- quently closed.” The man, anonymised as Mr F in the report fromLGS- CO, who has since passed away, went into hospital in January 2017, following an unwitnessed fall at his home and then went into a care home in May 2017. The care home reviewed monthly Mr F’s risk of fall- ing and noted in April 2019 that he had become un- steady on his feet and had issues with balance. It said he had a high risk of falling due to his medica- tion, visual impairment and cognitive issues that could impact his perception of risk. The council accepts the LGSCO’s finding that there were two measures the care home could have considered to potentially reduce risk “

His daughter, known in the report as Mrs C, said his risk of falls was mainly due to the type of dementia he had. In May 2019, Mr F has several unwitnessed falls and was referred to a phys- iotherapist for a mobility assessment, leading to the council ordering a walking frame that he could use in the evening when he was less steady on his feet, as well as a chair raiser. Four unobserved falls in June 2019 culminated in a broken hip and hospital ad- mission. When the care home no- ticed that Mr F’s risk of falls had increased, it organised two reviews by his GP, a physiotherapy assessment and told staff to regularly check up on him. The LGO inspector said it is clear the care home re- sponded to Mr F’s increased risk and pursued various options to reduce this. However, the inspector said, as Mr F’s falls were un- witnessed, the home should have encouraged him to be more in communal areas where staff would be pres- ent. The care home acknowl-

edged at the time that staff should try and observe Mr F as much as possible. Although the council said staff had regularly tried to ensure Mr F would spend time in communal areas during the day, the inspec- tor said it provided insuf- ficient evidence to support this. Additionally, while Mr F had a sensor mat next to his bed to alert staff when he would try to get out of his bed, there was no evidence the care home considered putting a sensor mat in front of Mr F’s chair to alert staff when he would try to get up and mobilise. The inspector said the care home should have con- sidered this, but admitted these measures would not necessarily have reduced the number of falls Mr F ex- perienced. The inspector asked the council to provide an apolo- gy for the care home failing to put in place, or at least consider, the two measures that could have reduced Mr F’s risk of falling. West Berkshire Council accepted the recommenda- tions and has apologised to Mrs C.

WEST Berkshire Council (WBC) has apologised af- ter a care home failed to adequately put in place measures to prevent an elderly man from falling repeatedly, writes Local democracy Reporter Te- vye Markson. A report from the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) found fault with the actions of the care provider, which is commissioned by the council. When a council commis- sions another organisation to provide services on its behalf, it remains respon- sible for those services and for the actions of the organi- sation providing them. Council spokeswoman Peta Stoddart-Compton said: “Following the complaint made to the care home, a full investigation was made by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO). “The majority of the com- plaint was not upheld by the LGSCO. The council accepts the LGSCO’s finding that there were two measures the care home could have considered to potentially re- duce risk further in addition

There is no upper or lower age limit. The event is being split into three age categories – 0-11 years, 12-17 years and 18-years plus. Entries close on August 31. To learn more about the event and its rules, visit greenham.gov. uk/inbloom Greenham parish councillor Alison Blackborow said of the competition: “A great opportunity for a community activity for all ages and to see Greenham through the lens.”

CHARITIES and community or- ganisations in Newbury are en- couraged to apply for the Tesco Community Grants scheme, which provides funding for lo- cal projects. The latest round of funding will be targeted towards groups that provide food and support to chil- dren and families in need. Among the initiatives that might benefit are breakfast or holiday lunch clubs, food banks, youth clubs and schools. Shortlisted projects will be el- igible to receive funding pots of £500, £1,000 and £1,500. From July, Tesco grants for local projects customers at Tesco’s Newbury branches will be able to vote on which ones net the most funding. Tesco Community Grants man- ager Keith Jackson said: “Over the years, we’ve been delighted to have been able to support so many charities, community groups and organisations. “We’re encouraging groups in Newbury to apply for funding as we hope to see the fantastic com- munity work they provide to con- tinue long into the future.” For more information – includ- ing eligibility conditions – visit bit.ly/3eCbbN0

MP ‘drops in’ to meet pupils at Mary Hare

TRACTORS I CHAINSAWS I CHIPPERS I HEDGE TRIMMERS

A COURT has banned a man it convicted of har- assment from even men- tioning the name of his victim, anywhere on so- cial media. In the dock at Read- ing Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, April 29, was Ste- phen Hill. The 40-year-old, of Love Lane, Donnington, admit- NEWBURY MP Laura Farris hosted a virtual meeting with pupils at Mary Hare School for the Deaf, organised by the National Deaf Children’s Society. To help celebrate Deaf Awareness Week (May 3-9), Mrs Farris read some ex- cerpts from the charity’s book The Quest for the Cock- le Implant, to around 20 pu- pils aged seven to 12, on Fri- day, May 7. After the storytelling session, she chatted to the pupils about their lives, the challenges they face and their hopes for the future. The pupils told her what it’s like to be deaf and shared their top deaf aware- ness tips. The visit was organised by the National Deaf Chil- dren’s Society Roadshow team which provides work-

Finally, he was made sub- ject to a three-year restrain- ing order banning him from contacting Ms Walker, ei- ther directly or indirectly, from going to a specified address in Francis Close, Thatcham, or any place he knows she is working or liv- ing, and from making any reference to her on any so- cial media platform. so proud to represent them, their staff and wonderful pupils. “I have been supporting deaf awareness and sign lan- guage in the House of Com- mons and I look forward to meeting the children and staff in person when visiting is allowed once more.” Steven Gardiner, who helped deliver the work- shop for the society, said: “Visits like this, even when they’re virtual, have such an impact on the lives of the UK’s 50,000 deaf children and young people and it’s so important when people like Laura Farris take the time to drop in and lend their support. “We want to reach every deaf child and inspire them to aim high, because with the right support they can do anything.”

Put a spring into your garden

With over 35 years experience, Kalehurst Garden Machinery is a name you can really trust.

Laura Farris celebrated Deaf Awareness Week with Mary Hare shops in schools across the UK to help empower deaf children and young peo- ple and to raise awareness of deafness among their friends, family and teach- ers. Mary Hare’s virtual book reading event and I thor- oughly enjoyed reading to the children and listening to their questions. “Mary Hare is an excep- tional school in my constit- uency who do important work nationally and I am Mrs Farris said:“It was a real pleasure to take part in

Come and speak to our team of experts for the best service in town.

Man banned from mentioning victim’s name online

KALEHURST AT HILLIER GARDEN CENTRE, HERMITAGE, Nr NEWBURY RG18 9TG T: 01635 201623 E: kalehurstgm@aol.com Website - www.kalehurst.co.uk

ted pursuing a course of conduct which amounted to the harassment of Hayley Walker. Specifically, Mr Hill ad- mitted messaging Ms Walk- er, sending her gifts and contacting her friends and family on numerous occa- sions in Newbury between November 2 last year and Tuesday, January 5.

Mr Hill was made subject to a two-year community penalty. In addition, he was or- dered to carry out 100 hours of unpaid community work and to attend a Building Bet- ter Relationships course. Mr Hill was also ordered to pay £85 costs, plus a stat- utory victim services sur- charge of £95.

MOWERS I RIDE ON MOWERS I SHREDDERS I STUMP GRINDERS