A Gloucester care home worker who accidentally gave a resident the wrong medication feels “totally” responsible for his death, a court has been told.
Jane Barnard, 66, denies the manslaughter of 75-year-old Derek Davies, a resident at Wheatridge Court care home where she worked. Mr. Davies died on September 8, 2021, after Barnard mistakenly administered medication prescribed for another patient, including a dangerous 90mg dose of slow-release morphine.
At Gloucester Crown Court, it was revealed that Barnard did not report the error immediately. Instead, she attempted to cover up her mistake by lying to colleagues and medical staff, even after Mr. Davies fell seriously ill and was hospitalized. The following day, Barnard attempted to confess while at church but was unable to find an opportunity due to the busy environment.
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“I thought I could go to church and tell someone what had happened,” Barnard stated. “I started cleaning, but they were engaged in technical work and very busy, so I didn’t get the chance to speak.”
In the days after the incident, Barnard sought spiritual guidance by listening to Christian podcasts and confided in a friend, who agreed to “pray for Derek.”
Barnard, from Longlevens, Gloucester, has admitted to the related charge of willful neglect for failing to disclose the medication error between September 5 and 9, 2021.
When questioned about her sense of responsibility, Barnard responded, “Totally. I didn’t believe he would die.”
On the morning of September 6, she gave Mr. Davies medication intended for another patient, Jason Dodsworth. Realizing the grave mistake, she discarded the correct medication and falsely claimed the incorrect drug had been accidentally dropped down a sink.
“I went into the bathroom to collect myself,” Barnard recounted. “I was sitting there, beside myself… thinking about my family and Derek.”
Overwhelmed, she could not bring herself to tell anyone immediately, including her husband.
It was not until September 8, two days after the error, that Barnard informed Kim Jones, the care home’s deputy manager, about the wrong medication.
The care home then contacted the hospital, where it was confirmed that Mr. Davies had died that morning. Initially, his death was attributed to a brainstem stroke but subsequent investigations found the cause to be morphine toxicity.
Barnard had served as a care worker at Wheatridge Court for 32 years at the time of the incident.
The trial is ongoing.