A CATHOLIC blind charity was in court yesterday after it admitted a health and safety breach in a care home.
Frances Shannon, 81, fell to the ground after being lifted out of bed in a defective sling.
She broke her collar bone in the tumble and died the next day – although the care home is not being blamed for her death.
Mrs Shannon was being cared for in the Christopher Grange home, in Knotty Ash, which is run by the Catholic Blind Institute (CBI).
The charity admitted breaking lifting regulations that say equipment should be inspected every six months.
The sling, which had been bought in 2006 and was in use for 2½years, had never been checked by a “competent” person, the court heard.
It broke because one of the straps had not been properly stitched by the manufacturer.
The Health and Safety Executive (HSE), which brought the case against the CBI, claim the fault would have been picked up, had the checks been carried out.
Alan Hughes, for the HSE, told Liverpool Magistrates’ Court: “For the 2½ years this sling was used, it never received any checks by a competent person and the defence accept that.
“As a result of these failings, this 81-year-old lady suffered injuries which were certainly very nasty for someone who’s 81.”
