Carer Admits Neglect After Administering Wrong Medication Leading to Patient’s Death

A care home worker has admitted to neglecting a resident who died after she administered medication meant for another patient. Jane Barnard, 66, denies killing Derek Davies, 75, a resident at the care home where she was employed. Mr. Davies passed away on September 8, 2021.

At Gloucester Crown Court, Barnard pleaded guilty to wilful neglect between September 5 and 9, 2021, after failing to report that she gave Mr. Davies the wrong medication, specifically slow-release morphine prescribed for another patient.

Barnard, who worked at Wheatridge Court in Abbeydale, Gloucester, mistakenly gave Mr. Davies 90mg of morphine intended for Jason Dodsworth on the morning of September 6. Instead of reporting the error immediately to seek urgent medical assistance, Barnard concealed her mistake. She disposed of the prescribed medication Mr. Davies was supposed to receive, falsely claiming she had dropped Mr. Dodsworth’s medication down the sink.

Later that day, Mr. Davies became seriously ill, experiencing breathing difficulties and loss of consciousness. Barnard called an ambulance but withheld information about the morphine administration, telling medical staff that Mr. Davies could not have accessed the drug.

It was only on September 8 that Barnard informed Kim Jones, the deputy manager of the care home, about the medication error. By then, Mr. Davies had died. Originally, his death was attributed to a brainstem stroke, but subsequent investigation revealed morphine toxicity as the actual cause.

Barnard had served as a care worker at Wheatridge Court for 32 years. Prosecutor Alexandra Healy KC emphasized that had Barnard either not given the morphine or reported her error promptly, Mr. Davies’ death could have been prevented. The prosecution argues Barnard’s breach of duty was so severe that it constitutes a criminal act.

The trial against Barnard is ongoing.