Two siblings express their profound anguish over the alleged serious shortcomings that led to their mother’s passing in a care facility in Norfolk. They are now seeking clarification regarding the quality of care she received.
Janet Noon, a former nurse, charity worker, and special constable, passed away at the age of 73 in a specialized dementia care home arranged by Norfolk County Council. Allegations suggest that her care did not meet the stringent conditions mandated by Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DOLS) – a legal mechanism designed to safeguard individuals lacking the capacity to care for themselves.
Jonathan and James, her sons, raised multiple grievances with Belvoir House Care Home in Brundall and Norfolk County Council’s adult social services department. They emphasized that their mother, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, was not being taken out of the facility as frequently as prescribed in her DOLS, which outlined the necessity of regular activities for her well-being. The lack of physical engagement is suspected to have played a role in her demise.
Janet, a grandmother of two, passed away on February 12 following concerns about her health that prompted an ambulance call. Despite the paramedics’ presence, she was not transported to a hospital, and she ultimately succumbed to a pulmonary embolism. The East of England Ambulance Service acknowledged that she should have been taken to the hospital based on their assessment.
Previously, Jonathan and James had two complaints regarding their mother’s care upheld by the Local Government Ombudsman. One finding recommended that the council’s social workers enhance their comprehension of safeguarding laws and the authority granted to relatives through Lasting Powers of Attorneys.
During her stay at Belvoir House Care Home, Jonathan and James also expressed concerns about various issues, such as an incident where Janet’s finger was severely injured due to a lack of hinge guards on a door.
An inquiry into Janet’s passing is underway to scrutinize the circumstances surrounding the event. Despite their distress, Jonathan and James are vocal about their apprehensions that other families may also be encountering dismissive attitudes similar to what they claim to have faced.
Jonathan lamented, “Our mother was severely let down, and her care exhibited a consistent pattern of neglect. We diligently raised concerns about her lack of outings, a legal obligation, but despite the council’s awareness of her DOLS, should they not have ensured her proper care in line with the law?”
His brother James added, “The inadequacies in her care trace back to her previous facility, where the council imposed restrictions preventing us from taking her out for a prolonged period. We faced substantial obstacles and felt marginalized in our efforts to advocate for her rights.”
Slater and Gordon law firm is assisting Jonathan and James in investigating Janet’s demise and identifying the systemic failures that led to it. Rebecca Hall from the firm’s clinical negligence team affirmed their commitment to seeking justice for the family.
Norfolk County Council acknowledged the Ombudsman’s decisions concerning Ms. Noon’s care and emphasized their cooperation with the investigations. Belvoir House’s managing director expressed condolences to Janet’s family and assured compliance with regulatory inquiries into her passing.