Family release shocking images of injuries suffered by grandmother in Sunnybank Care Home

July 29, 2016

Grandmother who suffers fits fell while alone in the toilet at care home
Family were not told, meaning the pensioner went to hospital alone
Granddaughter posted photo of injuries online in protest at treatment

Richard Spillett for MailOnline

Published:
10:08 EST, 29 July 2016

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Updated:
13:08 EST, 29 July 2016

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Jill Symmonds was left with shocking facial injuries after she fell at her care home. Her family are angry they were not informed

The family of a grandmother who was left with shocking bruises after a fall at a care home are angry they were not told.

Jill Symmonds, 78, fell at Sunnybank Care Home in Cruden Bay, Aberdeenshire, on Tuesday, leaving her with two black eyes and horrific bruising across her face.

Her granddaughter has released a picture of the injuries and hit out at what she says are inadequate staffing levels at the home.

She is also angry that that no one from the home called the family to tell them about the fall, meaning Mrs Symmonds was taken to hospital for treatment on her own.

Beauty therapist Emma Stephen said it is not the first time Jill has fallen at the home during her five years there. She said her grandmother had previously broken both her legs while suffering one of the fits which she is prone to.

Emma, from Stuartfield, Aberdeenshire, was so angry about what happened that she put a photograph of Jill’s injuries online in a post that has now been shared more than 1,000 times.

She said: ‘When I made that post, I was quite upset and quite angry. We were getting no answers from the home.

‘Now, they are doing a full investigation and we have a meeting on Monday with them. We have to give them the chance to explain themselves but I don’t think we’re going to get answers we want at it.

‘She’s had a fall and it’s pretty horrendous, but it’s not the first fall that has happened. This is probably the most severe, but what we’re trying to get to the bottom of at the moment is why she has fallen.

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‘It does appear that care homes do not have the level of staffing that people like us think they should have, which is totally wrong. I think the majority of carers at the moment do a fantastic job and I really do take my hat off to them.

‘It’s something I used to do when I was younger, and it’s not something I could now.

‘But the problem is it cannot be OK if people are falling like this. It happens too often and it’s disgraceful that elderly people are treated this way.’

Mrs Symmonds’ granddaughter posted the photo on Facebook, saying she is ‘disgusted’ with the care

Home operators Meallmore Ltd admitted it was ‘unacceptable’ that Jill’s relatives had not been informed of the fall and said the matter was under review.

A spokesman for the firm said her family had not originally been contacted because of a ‘retraining issue’ with the staff member involved.

He added: ‘We are still reviewing the incident and, as is our policy following any significant event, we will undertake a full review with the resident, her family and other relevant professionals to update the resident’s care plan to minimise the risk of a future incident.

‘The fact the resident’s family weren’t alerted as soon as she was admitted to hospital was unacceptable and we wholeheartedly apologise.

‘We take the prevention of falls very seriously and each resident is assessed, in line with national falls guidance, to limit their risk.

‘However, it is important to note we do not restrict movement or choice of people in our care. Any incident such as this is reviewed to ensure lessons are learned for the future and care plans, along with ways of working, are then adapted accordingly.

‘As a company, we take matters like this extremely seriously, as the care, comfort and security of residents is our top priority.’