A CORONER holding an inquest into the deaths of three elderly people at a residential home said the care they received “fell below the standard expected”.

Albert Pooley, 89, and 85-year-olds James Metcalfe and Harry Kilvington died within the space of seven months last year due to natural causes, North Yorkshire coroner Michael Oakley found.

Mr Oakley was critical of management at Sowerby House, near Thirsk, after the hearing was told how hundreds of ants were seen crawling on a bedside table as a resident ate breakfast, excrement was seen on the floors and how a nurse found Mr Metcalfe sitting in his own filth after being left for four-and-a-half hours.

York Press:

He returned a narrative verdict in each case, saying: “Whilst the standard of care afforded to the deceased whilst at Sowerby House was below the standard expected of a nursing home, he has died from natural causes.”

Mr Oakley said the manager “fell short of the task” and, as a consequence, so did the staff.

North Yorkshire Police and the Care Quality Commission began investigations after concerns were raised about standards at the home. No criminal charges will follow.

After the hearing, Michelle Thomson, lawyer for the Pooley family, said they hoped lessons will be learned.

A spokesman for the home, which applied to no longer operate as a nursing home, said improvements have been made.

“It is undergoing a complete transformation, with the support and involvement of residents, families and staff,” he said.

“A new management and support team is in place and considerable investment is under way in the fabric of the home.

“The national shortage of nurses led to a decision to change the registration and the home now focuses on residential care.”

The Care Quality Commission rated Sowerby House “inadequate” at an inspection in October.

A CQC spokeswoman said: “We will always look to celebrate examples of outstanding care, but we won’t hesitate to take enforcement action against registered providers who aren’t providing the level of care that people are entitled to.”

As reported in The Press previously, there have been a number of investigations at Sowerby House. Last month the Nursing and Midwifery Council found a nurse to have committed serious misconduct after sleeping on duty during 2014/15.

In February 2015, the home was rocked when resident David Paterson was murdered by local woman Heather Davidson, who had been a regular visitor of Mr Paterson.

Davidson was sentenced to life in prison at Teesside Crown Court in June 2015.