Bristol matron struck off

Doris Hammond died two years ago

A nursing home matron has been struck off after one of her patients died from the effects of bed sores.

95-year-old Doris Hammond was transferred to hospital from the Avon Gorge Nursing Home in Bristol with 13 bed sores, six weeks after being admitted to the home.

Mandy Trotter was working as a matron at the home when Ms Hammond was admitted, and was found guilty of misconduct on Thursday by the Nursing and Midwifery Council.

An inquest into Ms Hammond's death two years ago found neglect was partly to blame.

Considerable pressure

Ms Hammond's daughter, Jenny, told the BBC: "Words can't describe it. The doctors and consultants at the hospital were incensed.

"Nursing staff had never seen anything like the degree of sores she had on her body: it was heartbreaking."

Ms Trotter was found guilty of failing to provide proper care in the management of the sores and failing to prevent them.

In her defence, the former matron said she was under considerable pressure imposed by the home at the time, and has been working successfully at another care home since leaving Avon Gorge.

She said she was expected to train foreign nurses as well as carry out her nursing duties.

Avon Gorge Nursing Home - which charged Ms Hammond £1,500 a month - is now closed.