Barchester cleared in care home resident’s death inquest

Barchester HealthCare has been cleared of any blame following an inquest into the death of a resident at Highview House in Scorguie, Inverness.

Christina Wilson died in June 2013 after being admitted three weeks earlier from Raigmore Hospital, The Press and Journal reported.

A post-mortem examination found Mrs Wilson’s cause of death to be kidney disease and urinary tract infection.

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Her family had argued the home should have sought outside advice to ensure Mrs Wilson, who had suffered from cervical cancer and developed chronic kidney problems, was eating and drinking adequately.

Sheriff David Sutherland found “there existed no reasonable precaution” in avoiding Mrs Wilson’s death, and “no defects in any system of working” which contributed to her death.

He added: “There are no other facts which are relevant to the circumstances of her death.”

A Barchester spokesperson said: “The team at Highview House care home offer their deepest condolences to the family of Mrs Christina Wilson. The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our utmost priority and we worked with the relevant authorities to assist throughout the fatal accident inquiry. We would like to reassure every one of our commitment to provide the highest quality of care to those living at Highview House.”