Care home resident choked to death after being given wrong dinner

A care home resident in Greenock died after being given the wrong dinner, a fatal accident inquiry has found.

Robert McPaul died on March 30, 2018, at Sir Gabriel Wood’s Mariners’ Home after a piece of puff pastry from a steak pie became lodged in his trachea.

An inquiry at Greenock Sheriff Court found that the meal provided was not suitable for the 70-year-old’s special dietary requirements and was not the item he selected, a chicken paella.

Mr McPaul was instead served the steak pie, which was not appropriate for his “soft diet”.

The 70-year-old started to choke after one mouthful. Staff attempted to dislodge the food item from the airway and proceeded to press the alarm.

Paramedics arrived and attempted to resuscitate him before he was then pronounced dead at the scene.

An autopsy confirmed that the cause of death was choking on food with a potential contributing cause being cerebrovascular disease.

Sheriff Sheena Fraser found that there was “a defect in the system of work”, including staff training and a lack of labelling to ensure the residents received the correct meal.

Following Mr McPaul’s death, a colour coded plate system was introduced by the care home, which has now been closed.

Debbie Carroll of the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service said:  “The death of Robert McPaul occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary Fatal Accident Inquiry was instructed.   

“The sheriff’s determination is detailed and notes reasonable precautions that could have been taken to avoid Mr McPaul’s death. 

“The FAI followed a thorough and comprehensive investigation by the Procurator Fiscal who ensured that the full facts and circumstances of Mr McPaul’s death were presented in evidence.” 