A FATAL accident inquiry into the death of a 90-year-old Dundee man yesterday heard of a catalogue of complaints to the Care Commission about low staffing levels at the nursing home where he lived.

James Hutchison was found lying at the feet of fellow resident Andrew Brown at Tullideph Nursing Home, Benvie Road, in December 2002.

Mr Hutchison was taken to hospital with a fractured hip and upper left arm, and died in Ninewells a week later.

The inquiry heard Mr Brown had a history of lashing out at residents and staff members.

It was also revealed an incident when Mr Brown held a towel over another resident’s head happened three days before the incident involving Mr Hutchison.

On June 12, 2002, a staff member at the home lodged a complaint with the Care Commission.

It read, “You really need to be going through this home with a fine-tooth comb.”

The anonymous member of staff, who has since left, raised concerns about the lack of staff, the care and equipment.

“Residents are suffering as a result of staffing,” the employee said, but manager Joan Downie disagreed.

Depute fiscal Bill Kermode said, “It’s not only outsiders that have this impression.”

Mrs Downie replied, “It’s a member of staff with a grievance.”

Mr Kermode continued, “One resident had a towel placed over their face.

“That might not have happened if there had been more staff.

“That resident suffered through lack of staff.

“James Hutchison in some way ended on the floor with fractures.

“That may not have happened if there was a member of staff there.

“So Mr Hutchison has suffered through lack of staff.

“Looking at the overall picture,” Mr Kermode continued, “we have people going to the home before December 2002 and saying sometimes, more often than not, there are no staff in the lounge.

“We see complaints mentioning lack of staff.”

Referring to a policy that a member of staff should always be in the home’s lounge, Mr Kermode said, “I take it you will agree that this isn’t always the case and that on December 3, 2002, there were no staff in the lounge.

“It happened before December 2002 and has continued to happen after and into 2003.

“I think you will also agree that you don’t have enough staff?”

“I have to agree with that,” admitted Mrs Downie.

“Do you meet the needs of the residents at all times?” Mr Kermode asked.

“I would like to think so, but probably not,” said Mrs Downie.

Mr Kermode referred to an anonymous complaint in August 2003 about poor staffing levels.

Mrs Downie replied, “People complain about poor levels of staffing when we are in fact fully staffed.

“Geographically, it is a big building and it can appear to some people that come into the home that we are understaffed when we are not.

“There is a full recruitment programme.

“There is not a lot as manager I can do about retaining staff.

“Some people just think it’s not for them.”

Another complaint was lodged with the Care Commission in September 2003 on the inability of the home to meet the needs of a resident who had osteo-arthritis and sustained a fracture after a fall.

An inspection by the Care Commission in November 2003 recorded that staff seemed very busy, “which led to a scarcity of staff to observe and interact with residents,” many of whom had complex care needs.

Mrs Downie admitted no significant changes were made between the incident involving Mr Hutchison and the inspection almost a year later.

She said they were in the process of a review at the time.

The inquiry also heard about a further complaint by a social worker who had to wait 10 minutes to gain access to the nursing home, which was only possible when a visitor was leaving.

The social worker was able to go to a bedroom at the end of the corridor without seeing any staff.

Questioned by Mr Kermode, Mrs Downie said staff are told to ignore a doorbell if patients need attention.

Asked if she felt she needs more staff, she said, “Probably. I wouldn’t say no to more staff.”

Mrs Downie said one-to-one care of patients is logistically impossible but having a carer in the area at all times can be done.

The inquiry continues on May 9.