'We deserve to know answers' - Inquest opens into deaths of Runcorn care home residents
Inquests have been opened into the deaths of six residents at a Runcorn care home.
Leonard Allen, Winifred Tubb, Raymond Thomas, Victor Collinson, Patricia Clee, and Barbara Jeffers were residents at St Luke’s care home, run by Halton Borough Council.
It is their families’ belief that the care and treatment accelerated their loved ones’ decline, contributing to their deaths.
Concerns shared by the families include inadequate falls prevention, failure to provide adequate personal care, failure to provide suitable dementia care, failures in carrying out risk assessments, poor implementation of care plans, and issues with infection prevention and control.
Their deaths had previously not been reported to the Cheshire Coroner’s Court but, following the findings of an investigation by Leigh Day into their care at St Luke’s care home, a request was granted by the Chief Coroner for inquests to be held.
The inquests opened on Wednesday (December 10) at Cheshire Coroner’s Court, where HM Senior Coroner Jacqueline Devonish read out the names of those who had died. The inquests were adjourned, and the first inquest is due to take place on November 23, 2026.
According to Leigh Day, Leonard Allen suffered at least 11 falls during his time at St Luke’s. After a fall on May 12, 2023, the following day (May 13) the home called for an ambulance. An assessment with paramedics suggested that Leonard had had a stroke, and he was transferred to Whiston Hospital where he died on May 16, 2023.
Winifred Tubb experienced 32 falls at St Luke’s. On October 11, 2021, she was hospitalised with a broken hip and pubic bone. She died on December 28, 2022.
The family of Raymond Thomas raised concerns between November 2022 and April 2023 about Thomas’ condition, noting he had had several falls, was not moving, losing weight, and sleeping excessively. Raymond was subsequently admitted to Whiston Hospital, where he was diagnosed with urosepsis and a water infection, which led to sepsis. He died on January 5, 2024.
Three weeks after being admitted to St Luke’s, Victor Collinson was admitted to Warrington Hospital with general deterioration, on November28, 2022. He died on February 15, 2023.
In July 2021, Patricia Clee had a serious fall that led to hospitalisation where she died three weeks later.
Barbara Jeffers suffered a fall on February 21, 2023. She sustained injuries to the back of her head and nose. An ambulance was called, and she was sent to Warrington Hospital. She then contracted a chest infection, and on March 13, 2023, Barbara passed away.
Following the hearing on Wednesday, Kylie Gobin, the daughter of Winifred Tubb made a statement on behalf of the families. She said: “We appreciate the senior coroner Jacqueline Devonish, opening the inquests.
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"The families deserve to know answers to the questions that they have been asking of CQC and Halton Borough Council for two years.
"We can’t change the past, but we can change the impact on the future of other service users and try and prevent psychological and physical harm occurring to other service users.
"All family members wanted was answers, and lessons to be learnt instead we believe professionals, Halton Borough, and CQC as a provider have not been transparent. We welcome the inquests and hopefully family members can find some peace knowing we have tried to prevent further serious incidents and deaths occurring to other service users."
A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council said: "We are aware that the Coroner will be opening inquests into these matters.
“The Council will cooperate fully and assist the Coroner with their inquiries as required. We remain committed to working with our partners to provide excellent quality of care, ensuring that residents receive safe, high-quality support."