Scots OAP died after choking on doughnut given to her by untrained care home staff

dailyrecord.co.uk:

A Scots pensioner with vascular dementia died after she choked on a piece of doughnut given to her by care home staff. The 65-year-old was on a specialist diet of minced and moist food after suffering a severe stroke which left her at risk of choking.

Despite the strict instructions, a staff member at Orchard Care Home in Tullibody, Clackmannanshire, gave her the sugary treat from a snack trolley.

The woman, who has not been named, sadly passed away despite attempts to clear her airway on August 7, 2019.Care home operators HC-One Limited have now been fined £640,000 after admitting failings under the Health and Safety at Work Act during a hearing at Falkirk Sheriff Court.Shockingly, it was discovered the woman had also regularly been given sandwiches during her stay at the home - despite bread being banned from her diet.Main meals at the home were prepared by the kitchen and labelled with each resident’s name.But the snack trolley did not have information on modified diets or food suitability while staff in charge of it had also not received sufficient training.HC-One Limited have since made changes at the home to ensure the snack trolley has suitable food for all residents while special training has also taken place.Alistair Duncan, Head of the Health and Safety Investigation Unit of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service, said: "The death of this vulnerable care home resident could have been prevented if suitable training and procedures were in place."HC-One Limited left all residents at risk by failing to ensure modified diets were adhered to and staff had the relevant knowledge to keep those in their care safe.“This prosecution should reiterate the need for all care homes to protect their residents and