05-08-2025
Glasgow car home fined after vulnerable patient died in car park on Boxing Day
A Glasgow care home has been fined more than £50,000 after health and safety failings which led to the death of a patient.
Hugh Kearins, 77, had dementia and had been living in the Chester Park care home since 2012.
On Boxing Day 2022 he managed to leave the home via a series of stairways and fire doors and was found dead in the car park at around 7am, having been outside for several hours.
An inspector from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) counted 320 steps from the Mr Kearins room to the car park just off Lambhill Street.
Site of the car home and adjacent car park (Image: HSE) An investigation found that the pensioner had exited through a fire door which had been left unsecured, and on which the internal alarm had been deactivated, at around 1am with the door closed an hour later by an unknown member of staff carrying out routine checks.
The care home manager confirmed that having found the door open, staff should have conducted a head count to make sure no patients were missing.
However, they failed to do so.
The HSE investigation found the company had failed to have a safe system of work in place. Records held by the company in relation to Mr Kearins, extensively noted the clear risk that he might abscond or 'wander'. It was part of his care plan that he be checked or monitored every hour.
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Falsified records showed that a senior care assistant and a care assistant who had responsibility for Mr Kearins' care stated they had performed tasks involving his care at a time when he was no longer in the building and they could not possibly have done so.
Both were unaware he was no longer in his room until news of his death became known following the discovery of his body in the car park.
Oakminster Healthcare Limited, of Lambhill Street, Glasgow, pleaded guilty to breaching Sections 3(1) and Section 33(1)(a) of the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974. The company was fined £53,750 at Glasgow Sheriff Court on 23 July 2025.
HM Inspector Amna Shah said: 'This incident was completely avoidable.
'It is hugely concerning that a vulnerable man was able to walk so far and through so many doors without being noticed.
'We counted he had walked more than 300 steps.
'The fact this incident happened at Christmas time makes it all the more tragic.
'We will always take action against those who fail in their responsibilities.'
Oakminster Healthcare has been contacted for comment.
