A 73-year-old woman died after choking on a ham sandwich while at a care home.

Brenda Preston was a beloved 73-year-old woman who sadly passed away in February after being fed solid food. Her family is devastated by her loss and the circumstances surrounding her death. Brenda was a resident at Ventress Hall care home in Darlington, County Durham, where she had been receiving care due to her physical and mental disabilities. Her husband, David Preston, had chosen the home because he believed it was the best place to care for her complex needs. Brenda had previously worked as a carer at Ventress Hall for 13 years before falling ill with bacterial meningitis in 2001.

Due to her difficulties with swallowing, Brenda was on a special diet and required close monitoring while eating. However, a new carer at the home did not read her care plan and gave her a ham sandwich, which was prohibited. The carer also did not stay to monitor Brenda's meal, resulting in her choking on the sandwich. She was unable to properly swallow her food and was found by a nurse with blue lips. Despite being rushed to the hospital, Brenda sadly passed away three days later from severe bronchial pneumonia and gastric aspiration.

Brenda's family is determined to ensure that the mistakes made in her care are not repeated. They are calling for change at Ventress Hall and across all Care UK residences. David, heartbroken by the loss of his wife, shared that there had been previous mistakes made during mealtimes, but he had always been there to catch them as he spent every day with Brenda, helping to feed her. He described her as his entire life, the only girlfriend he ever had, and would visit her during the Covid lockdown by standing at her window and telling her he loved her.

Brenda's daughter, Leigh-Anne, expressed her family's frustration and heartache, stating that nothing can bring her mother back. She believes that safety should never be a concern when a family has a loved one in care and that her mother's death could have been prevented. The family is now focused on raising awareness and ensuring that no one else has to go through what they have been through.

In response, the regional director of Care UK, Diane Coy, expressed their condolences to Brenda's family and stated that they strive to provide safe and kind care to all residents. They have implemented improvements to prevent similar incidents from occurring in the future and are reflecting on the findings of the inquest. The home is currently rated as "good" by the Care Quality Commission. The home's manager, Diane Encinias, also shared that changes have been made, including visual reminders on residents' bedroom doors about their care plans, training on choking risks for all staff, and discussions about each patient's needs during handover. The family hopes that these changes will prevent anyone else from experiencing the same tragedy.

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