Death of a Rochdale teenager launches inquiry into Trafford care home

The death of a Rochdale teenager is being investigated by a coroner after he died at a care home in Trafford, one year after a four-year-old girl died at the same home.

Jordan-Lee Fitton died at the age of 17 in August 2017 after battling a chest infection. He was admitted to the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital from EAM House in Partington, where he was living in care.

The teenager and his parents, David and Lisa-Louise Fitton, had previously fought to save Rochdale Infirmary’s Accident and Emergency service. Due to seizures brought on by a condition known as global development delay, Jordan-Lee had depended on regular medical and urgent hospital treatment.

His younger brother, Dion, who died in 2006 at the age of five, also depended on the children’s ward, due to fighting the same condition.

At the time, David and Lisa-Louise were unaware a four-year-old girl, Lea Louise Hunsley, had died a year earlier after she was admitted to hospital from the same home.

Lea, who had profound cerebral palsy, was admitted to Wythenshawe Hospital from EAM House, where she had been receiving respite care. She died hours later, due to complications from previous surgery.

After Lea’s death, Manchester North coroner, Lisa Hashmi, published a formal report ‘Report to Prevent Future Deaths’, which found nurses and carers at EAM House had failed to read care records and "lacked the ability to identify, recognise and act."

The report concluded “neglect more than minimally contributed to the deceased’s death.”

 

 

According to the BBC, during the pre-inquest public hearing into Jordan-Lee's death, Manchester coroner Angharad Davies said she would be investigating a number of issues, including staff training at EAM House, the administration of oxygen to Jordan-Lee, and concerns about a delay in his hospital admission.

An inspection by the Care Quality Commission after Jordan-Lee’s death found the service provided by EAM House “was not consistently safe” although its rating had improved following the inspection shortly after Lea’s death. Then, the service was rated as ‘requiring improvement’ with a number of concerns identified.

A spokesman for Rochdale Borough Council said: “This is a complex case involving a child with profound needs who required a high level of care.

“Although we sympathise with the family and recognise their need for answers, the right place for this to be examined is during the inquest process which will determine the cause of Jordan’s death.”

Elizabeth Marland, the founder of EAM Care Group, which runs EAM House, commented: “Everyone at EAM House was deeply shocked and saddened by the news of the death of Jordan-Lee Fitton and our thoughts and sympathies are with his family and friends.

“As with every inquest, it is entirely proper that the Coroner seeks to identify any potential issues, so the relevant evidence can be heard, and conclusions reached about any relevant matter at the Inquest.  It would be entirely inappropriate to make any public comment before the Coroner has heard the evidence and concluded the inquest.  EAM House will continue to co-operate fully with the Coroner and looks forward to the conclusion of this inquest.

“We co-operate and work closely with the CQC at all times to ensure that all our staff are experienced and well trained. We continually review our operating procedures and policies so that families can leave their loved one knowing that the care we provide is safe and follows CQC regulations.

“Since December 2017 we have revised our registration and only provide for children aged 16 and above, together with young adults. The safety and wellbeing of all the children and young adults in our care is, and always will be, the top priority of all management and staff at EAM House.”