Care home is fined £50,000 after patient fall from roof

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Care home is fined £50,000 after patient fall from roof

Thursday, 13 January 2011

By Jon Dean

A CARE home in Winchmore Hill has been fined almost £50,000 after a resident

with mental health problems plummeted 30ft from a roof.

n , 22, who suffers from Asperger syndrome and schizo-affective

disorder, fell from the roof of the care home after climbing through a skylight.

Hillgreen Care, which runs the Colne Road home, pleaded guilty before

magistrates to breaching health and safety regulations.

Mr , who is considered an absconding risk, was found on the pavement

outside the home with several broken bones.

He was taken to North Middlesex University Hospital, in Edmonton, where he had

surgery to remove his spleen and mend broken bones in his arms and legs. He

remained in intensive care for two months after surgery.

Hillgreen Care, of Upper Street, Islington, was fined £20,000 for each of the

two health and safety breaches – the maximum fine that can be imposed by

magistrates. Bosses were also ordered to pay almost £10,000 in costs to Enfield

Council.

Councillor Bond, cabinet member for environment, said: " Health and safety

regulations have become a figure of fun in recent times, but in cases like this

they are crucial in protecting life and limb.

" This prosecution reinforces the council's determination to protect our most

vulnerable residents. "

Hillgreen Care declined to comment.