CENTRAL Beds Council says it hopes “the right lessons have been learned” after the fatal stabbing of a care worker at a residential care home in Dunstable.
Kathleen Bainbridge, 58, was killed at Abacus House, Princes Street, by resident Stephen Flatt, then aged 55. Fellow worker Barbara Hill, from Dunstable, was also attacked when she went to help her colleague.
After a trial at Luton Crown Court, in which Hertfordshire NHS trust and the care home owner were found guilty of safety failings, Central Beds councillor Budge Wells said: “The legal process has been long and difficult, particularly for Mrs Bainbridge’s family but also for her former colleagues, especially Mrs Hill.
“Of course the trial of Stephen Flatt had to take initial priority and once this was concluded the police instigated a further investigation of the NHS trust and care home owner.
“However, the council and Health and Safety Executive cooperated closely on their investigation from the outset and were in a position to progress with proceedings as soon as the police cleared the way.
“All concerned in the case hope that the right lessons are learned from this tragedy and that nothing of a similar nature occurs in future.”
HSE inspector Karl Howes said after the hearing: “This was a tragic incident that left a family without a wife, mother and grandmother. No-one expects to go to work and never return home.
“Care homes have a duty not only to protect the safety of their residents but their staff as well. The NHS trust failed to adequately assess the risks that were posed to staff and other residents from placing Mr Flatt at Abacus House.
“I hope this will make all NHS trust and care facilities carefully consider the procedures that they have in place during patient placement.”
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