A report into a “neglectful” care home has been shared with inspectors after Norfolk’s most senior coroner said they may find it useful.   

Jacqueline Lake criticised staff at The Limes, based in Hellesdon, during a three-day inquest into the death of 89-year-old Edith Alden. 

A resident at the time of her death, Mrs Alden - known as Bunny - died 12 days after falling in the care home garden.  

She was found by staff on the patio floor after she left the building unescorted through a fire exit. 

She had been a resident of the home for four months, having initially been admitted for a week of respite care as she was assessed as being a "very high risk of falls".

Eastern Daily Press: Edith Alden, known as Bunny, died at The Limes care home in Hellesdon, Norwich   

The court heard how Mrs Alden’s care plan required her to be supervised by staff while moving around the home.  

This did not occur on the night of the accident, and she fell on the evening of September 13, 2021, while workers at the home were in a handover between day and night staff. 

She was taken by ambulance to hospital and died less than two weeks later on September 25.  

In a Prevention for Future Deaths (PFD) report, Mrs Lake said Mrs Alden’s death had been contributed to by neglect and accused the home of "a significant, serious, and gross failure”.  

In the report are listed several matters of concern including inconsistent and unclear care plans and risk assessments.  

She added that there needs to be a bigger focus on preventing accidents rather than responding to them. 

The report has been sent to the Care Quality Commission (CQC) as she believed they mind find the information “useful or of interest”. 

Eastern Daily Press: Edith Alden, known as Bunny, died at The Limes care home in Hellesdon, Norwich

The CQC is an independent body that monitors, inspects and rates health and social care services in England. 

Evidence from the Limes said that since Mrs Alden’s death there had been a change in the management structure and extra steps had been put in place. 

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