A coroner made a scathing attack on a care home after an emaciated pensioner was admitted to hospital weighing less than five-and-a-half stone.
Five weeks before, Molly Darby, 94, had walked into the Beeches care home in Wath in good physical health.
But she deteriorated to such an extent at the home that when admitted at Barnsley Hospital her family claimed she resembled a ‘concentration camp victim’.
The widowed mother-of-six had a chest infection, pneumonia, pressure sores, septicaemia and ear and urinary infections.
Rotherham coroner Nicola Mundy said at the inquest’s conclusion on Wednesday: “I find it very alarming that such a vulnerable person who relied on professionals for her care was presented to hospital in the way she was.
“The vulnerable in our society must be properly cared for on all levels and their dignity protected. I think that Mrs Darby was not afforded the care and dignity she deserved.”
A narrative verdict was recorded. This week's Barnsley Chronicle features an interview with Molly's family, who said her treatment was inhuman.
