A vulnerable care home resident choked to death on cake after he was given a full slice instead of bite-sized pieces, an inquest was told.
A coroner was told staff were present in a dining room at the care home, but Anthony Gerrard Cotterell, 81, wasn't being supervised at the time.
Mr Cotterell moved into Stocks Hall Care Home in Skelmersdale, near Wigan, in December 2020. The retired haulage contractor, who was married to the late Maureen, had several medical conditions including Alzheimer's, cerebral vascular disease, left ventricular hypertrophy and coronary artery disease.
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Over the last three years Mr Cotterell's health continued to decline to the point where nursing home staff decided he should only be fed small, bite-size pieces of food and must be supervised while eating.
However on July 18 this year, Mr Cotterell was given a full slice of cake and while staff were present in the dining room, he wasn't being supervised, reports Lancs Live. Mr Cotterell, who was born in Harlow in Essex, began to choke on the cake. Although staff tried to administer first aid these were unsuccessful and the 81-year-old died.
At an inquest held at Preston Coroner's Court on November 7, Area Coroner Kate Bisset returned a narrative conclusion in which she said: "Anthony Gerrard Cotterell died on the 18th July 2023 at 50 White Moss Road, Skelmersdale, as a result of choking on cake.
"He had been a resident at the care home since December 2020 and his overall health had deteriorated since that time.
"Mr Cotterell's needs meant his food should have been given in bite sized pieces and eating should be under supervision. On the 18th July 2023, Mr Cotterell was given a whole slice of cake and whilst staff were present in the dining room, none were directly supervising Mr Cotterell's consumption.
"Mr Cotterell choked on cake and attempts to render first aid were unsuccessful."
Stocks Hall, a 60-bed care home, provides accommodation and care for the elderly and those living with dementia. Following its last full Care Quality Commission inspection, in 2018, it received an overall rating of 'good'. The care home has been approached for comment.
