Woman, 98, left in 'severe pain' for days
Family handoutRelatives of a 98-year-old who died after being left "in significant pain" for days have reached a settlement with her care home.
Margaret Donaldson contracted an infection at St Peter's Park Nursing Home in Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex in 2022 but experienced "a delay of several days before urgent medical attention".
Her family's solicitors said they have agreed a settlement between her estate and the care home without an admission of liability, following Donaldson's death in hospital.
Agincore, which runs the home, said it had reported her death but "no action was taken against the home".
After St Peter's Park recorded Donaldson was in pain, contact with her GP was made by email instead of by phone as previously advised, her family's solicitors said.
They said she was seen by a paramedic five days later and taken to hospital, where staff noted that she should have been seen much earlier.
An investigation later found Donaldson, who joined the Auxiliary Territorial Service in the Second World War, "suffered severe pain for longer than necessary", the law firm said.
'Treated worse than an animal'
Donaldson's infection reoccurred the following month and she was readmitted to hospital.
When Donaldson died a month later, her family alleged "serious concerns about basic care".
"She should never have had to endure conditions like that, she really was treated worse than an animal," said her son John Donaldson.
He said he was "amazed that care homes such as St Peter's Park are allowed to continue to operate".
The facility was rated "good" by the Care Quality Commission after an inspection shortly before Donaldson's reported ordeal began.
According to the family, "extensive building works" were underway at the care home, including pneumatic drills in the corridor outside her room, as her condition worsened.
Leigh Day senior associate Beatrice Morgan, who represented the family, said the home showed "a deeply troubling disregard" for her comfort and dignity.
"The extent of Margaret's suffering was entirely avoidable, and her family has shown huge courage in seeking answers and accountability," she said.
According to the firm, John Donaldson contacted multiple authorities seeking help for his mother but was told nothing could be done.
He has called for an emergency number to be set up for relatives concerned about the safety of a care home resident.
The Department of Health and Social Care was contacted for comment.
'No admission of liability or fault'
An Agincare spokesperson said: "We extend our sincere condolences to the family of Margaret Donaldson. The safety and wellbeing of all residents at St Peter's Park Care and Nursing Home remains our highest priority.
"At the time, we reported Margaret's death to the local authority safeguarding team and to our regulatory authority, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), in line with proper procedure. We cooperated openly and fully with all external investigations into her death, and no action was taken against the home.
"A legal settlement has subsequently been reached with Margaret's family with no admission of liability or fault made by the home.
"St Peter's Park Care and Nursing Home is rated 'Good' by the CQC and we remain committed to maintaining high standards of care and transparency across our care services."
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