Neglect case 'tragic' for nurse

A nurse whose career has been ended by the death of an elderly patient has been given a conditional discharge.

Gladys Thomas, 84, died within five weeks of arriving at Bryngwyn Mountleigh nursing home in Newbridge, Caerphilly county, in September 2005.

John Barry Adler, 52, had pleaded guilty to neglect on the basis of not administering the correct medication.

Judge Roderick Denyer told Newport Crown Court it was "tragic" Alder would never work as a nurse again.

Earlier this month eight other nursing home workers were cleared of Miss Thomas's wilful neglect after the prosecution dropped the case.

Alder from Newbridge, had not been involved in that trial.

Sentencing Alder, who has since resigned as a nurse, Judge Denyer said he had not physically harmed or deliberately neglected her.

"I acquit you of any positive desire to do any harm to Gladys Thomas at all.

"Your negligence resides in your failure properly to deal with the change to the regime on her return from hospital."

'Life wrecked'

The judge said others were equally culpable for failing to notice the change in regime.

He told him he was sure it was "a major source of unhappiness for you" that he would never work as a nurse again.

Judge Denyer added: "Your life has been wrecked, quite frankly."

Miss Thomas was suffering from fractured bones and extensive bruising when she was admitted to the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, in October 2005, but it was decided there was no evidence she was physically abused.

Alder had been working at the home when Miss Thomas was released from the hospital.

The court heard that the hospital had decided on a new medical regime for the pensioner, who suffered from severe mental and physical problems.

However, Alder, who regularly worked 12-hour days at the home, did not realise this, and she was given the wrong doses of drugs for a week before being readmitted to hospital.

He did not update records, and failed to give her Frusemide, a diuretic prescribed for her, the court heard.

Gerard Elias QC, prosecuting, said this could have contributed to her heart condition, for which she was admitted to hospital for the second time on 19 October. She died on 27 October.

Hugh Davies QC, defending, said Alder told him: "I feel we let Gladys down."

Mr Davies added: "Miss Thomas was not just let down by him, but he's the one who takes all the blame for it."

The court was told an unknown member of staff had been responsible for Miss Thomas's arrival at the home following the first hospital stay, and that another qualified nurse had been working alongside Alder.

Mr Davies said there was "no malice" intended, and that it was "simply an accident".