Caroline Taylforth has pleaded guilty to two offences of failing to provide safe care and treatment to two residents following a sentencing hearing at Blackpool Magistrates’ Court today (Wednesday 5^th April). She has been fined £40,000 and ordered to pay a £181 victim surcharge and £15,000 costs to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Following the deaths of the two elderly residents, Patricia Sutton and Derek Chapman, the coroner referred each of the cases to the CQC – who then brought the offences to court.

62-year-old, Caroline Taylforth, was the owner and registered manager of the Rossendale Nursing Home at the time of the two fatal incidents – in 2019 and 2020. Resident Ms Sutton died during a chocking incident whilst eating her dinner.  There had been three previous choking occurrences prior to the fatal incident. The CQC stated that Taylforth had not referred the pensioner to specialist services or have an adequate approach to choking incidents.

Resident, Derek Chapman died after a fall in the home. Taylforth had failed to protect the pensioner, who was known to be prone to falls and whose mobility was deteriorating, from the risk of death.

Commenting on the case, Alison Chilton, CQC Deputy Director of Operations for the North, said, ‘Patricia and John were seriously let down by the care they received from Caroline Taylforth at Rossendale Nursing Home, which sadly led to their deaths. Caroline failed in her duty as registered manager to protect Patricia and John from an avoidable risk of harm in a place they should have been safe and receiving the best possible care to meet their individual needs. This fine is not representative of the value of their lives, but this, and the prosecution reminds all care providers they must always ensure people’s safety and manage risks to their wellbeing. The majority of care providers do an excellent job but when they don’t, we can and will take action to hold them to account and protect people.’