A Hertfordshire care home must pay £700 to a man whose late mum suffered a “significant” decline in its care.

St Lauras Care Home in Kings Langley could not maintain the safety and dignity of its resident “Mrs Y”, who stayed in the home between June and August 2021, according to a Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman (LGSCO) report.

During her stay at St Lauras, staff reported Mrs Y developed stomach pain, ate less, vomited bile, became confused and on more than one occasion was found with faeces in her mouth.

The LGSCO found the woman’s son – identified as Mr Y – was “shocked to witness” her decline while in care.

The ombudsman ruled B&M Care staff failed to monitor Mrs Y’s weight or her general decline, and did not contact health professionals when she lost her appetite.

A B&M Care spokesperson said the organisation has already taken steps to improve the way they look after residents whose food and fluid intake declines.

Detailing a catalogue of “key events” during Mrs Y’s stay, the ombudsman found: “When admitted to the home, notes say that Mrs Y was not settled and quite tearful.

“However, in the first few days Mrs Y ate and drank well.

“On June 25, Mrs Y was heard by staff to have fallen and complained of pain to the back of her head and to her right shoulder.

“This was later confirmed by CCTV footage. The staff called 999 and comforted Mrs Y.

“The ambulance arrived two hours later, and paramedics agreed it was necessary for Mrs Y to go to hospital due to her level of pain.

“Tests conducted at the hospital did not show any significant concerns.

“Mrs Y returned to the home later that evening.

“In the following days Mrs Y displayed challenging behaviour towards staff and other residents.”

On July 4, 2021, Mrs Y complained of stomach pain, which staff were asked to monitor.

By July 7, Mrs Y developed diarrhoea and staff reported she was “upset and frightened”, and that she hurt a staff member.

From mid-July, Mrs Y’s nutritional intake declined to a point when, on July 16, she refused all foods.

The ombudsman report adds staff recommended she be put on “nutrition watch” on two occasions between July 28 and the end of the month.

It reads: “On 7 August Mrs Y was not eating or drinking and vomited in the morning. In the evening a carer noted, ‘[Mrs Y] had faeces in her mouth this morning, senior [staff] has since cleaned it.

“‘Please observe as she hasn’t been herself today’.”

That night, Mrs Y woke at 1.30am and became ill once again.

On August 9, members of her family visited and “expressed concern about Mrs Y’s presentation and her withdrawn state”.

An ambulance transferred Mrs Y to hospital when her condition deteriorated the following day.

Mr Y reported his mother was diagnosed with sepsis on arrival, and she died in September 2021.

He complained to the LGSCO and said “failures” at St Lauras “directly contributed to Mrs Y’s ill health and general deterioration before her death”.

The ombudsman found there was no evidence of nutritional monitoring, despite staff requests.

The LGCSO additionally ruled the care provider failed to escalate concerns or contact health professionals when Mrs Y’s diet declined, which is “contrary to the requirements imposed by the fundamental standards of care”.

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The report acknowledges the LGSCO nor B&M care can say whether Mrs Y’s “long-term prospects would have been any deferent were it not for the fault identified.”

It adds: “When staff noted that Mrs Y was consuming her own faeces, there is no evidence showing how the home intended to overcome this issue to maintain both Mrs Y’s safety and dignity.”

“I note that Mrs Y went to hospital three days after this incident, however there is no indication the home carried out any additional monitoring of Mrs Y in this interim period.

“In my view, this is also fault.”

The LGSCO ordered the home to pay a “symbolic” £700 to Mr Y, and the care provider must share evidence of the steps it has taken to remind staff about the importance of appropriately monitoring the weight and wellbeing of residents.

A B&M Care spokesperson said: “B&M Care has shared evidence with the LGSCO and taken steps through improved, effective training and observation which appropriately monitors the wellbeing of residents who experience a decline in their food and fluid intake.”

The regulator – the Care Quality Commission – last inspected St Lauras in February 2022, when the unit received a “good” rating.