£50,000 fine for States in case of ‘avoidable death’

The Royal Court heard yesterday that the 83-year-old woman hit her head on the ground after falling out of a bath hoist at Rosewood House at St Saviour’s Hospital while she was being helped by two nurses. She suffered serious injuries and died four days later.

It was heard that there had been a ‘catalogue of failings’, including that the nurses had failed to use the seatbelt on the hoist and that neither had received training on how to use the equipment.

Deputy Bailiff Tim Le Cocq said that the woman’s death was wholly ‘avoidable’ and that there were ‘failings at all levels’ within the States that contributed to the tragedy.

The States Employment Board, which is responsible for employing all States staff, pleaded guilty to one count of contravening the health and safety law and was fined £50,000 and ordered to pay £10,000 in prosecution costs.

It is the fourth time since 2009 that the SEB has been prosecuted for breaches of the health and safety law, although it is the first case involving the Health Department.

Full report in Saturday’s JEP.

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