Gordon Hill: A look at some of his artwork

We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info

Gordon Hill, 90, had become a resident at Oak Wood House care home in Bradninch, near Exeter, Devon, due to worsening dementia the day before his fall. He was in a distressed state when he fell and died hours later in hospital.

Mr Hill was a top-flight referee, officiating the League Cup final in 1975 among other high-profile games across the globe.

But he was diagnosed with dementia in his late 80s and, though partner of 10 years Veronica Gosling tried to look after him at home, Mr Hill eventually moved to the care home, reports Devon Live.

He’d stayed one month previous for a three-night respite stay, but became aggressive to staff and Ms Gosling collected him after two evenings.

And the pensioner again became anxious and agitated during his second stay, two nights into which he caused damage within the home, including smashing a window above the front door entrance, and he fell to his death.

The home has since been rated inadequate by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and is now under special measures.

The inquest heard how father-of-two Mr Hill was put to bed in his room at around 11.30pm on March 20, 2019, and was regularly monitored. 

Staff claimed they had tried calling Mr Hill’s partner but had been unable to get hold of her. Mrs Gosling, who has an answerphone machine, said she was home all evening and did not hear from the phone until 1.15am on March 21, when the care home owner informed her of the fall.

Details of the unwitnessed fall were provided by staff. During a check at gone midnight, it was discovered Mr Hill was missing from his room, and following a search of the corridor he was found to have fallen around 13ft from a flat roof outside the window of a vacant room. Mr Hill had fallen onto concrete below but was conscious.

Dianne Smyth, registered manager and care home owner, told the inquest that prior to Mr Hill becoming a resident, an extensive pre-admission assessment and preparations had been conducted.

She told how before his fall, the plan had been to contact the mental health team the next day and that she had not been made aware of Mr Hill having a manic episode during a previous hospital admission and had she known it would have made a difference.

She said: “Maybe I would have thought twice if a placement was suitable with us. Our staff are trained and have a good deal of knowledge, but they are not psychiatric nurses.

“When you look at all the things that happened that tragic evening he was manic.”

Giving evidence about the window Mr Hill escaped from, she said it had been ‘firmly locked’. Although it had a restrictor to prevent how far it opened, it had not been fitted with an additional restrictor like other windows in the home as there had been no key to open it since she had taken over the care home.

On further investigation of the window following Mr Hill’s death, she added the handle was found to be broken.

She said: “The reason it was able to open out seems to be because the handle was moved in such a way that it broke.”

She added: “This incident is so tragic and there was nothing I could have done to prevent it, I don’t think.”

However, she did concede that staff – who claimed they had tried to call his partner – should have kept trying to call her after his presentation deteriorated.

A post mortem examination confirmed the cause of his death was chest injuries. Ischemic heart disease and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease also contributed to his death.

Following Mr Hill’s death, the care home was inspected by independent health and social care regulator Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Devon County Council’s (DCC) safeguarding team.

Mrs Smyth told the inquest the CQC confirmed there was not sufficient evidence for prosecution, and DCC were satisfied the service was safe.

Police confirmed that following an investigation, no criminal neglect proceedings had been launched.

Oak Wood House was last inspected by the CQC in October 2021 and was rated inadequate in all areas. It means that the home has been placed in ‘special measures’ and will be kept under review and will be reinspected within six months to check for significant improvements.

Inspectors identified breaches in relation to safeguarding, risk management, person-centred care, dignity and privacy, choice and consent, staffing levels, training and competency, premises and good governance.

Following his death, a memorial exhibition of his artwork was held, and the Gordon Hill Bursary Fund in aid of Exeter City Football Club Community Trust was set up by his family.

Donations are to be used for the purpose of breaking down barriers to participation in sport and physical activity.

Originally from Bolton, Greater Manchester, Mr Hill was a primary school teacher and also sang with the renowned Rossendale Male Voice Choir. He went on to become became a professional football referee in both the English Football Association and North American Soccer League.

The grandfather also had a lifelong interest in art. He continued to paint and draw every day until his passing.

His family said: “Gordon was a remarkable international football referee who after a colourful life in football, education and ergonomics in the UK and USA spent the last decade of his life in Exeter deeply engrossed in making colourful paintings.”

Source: Read Full Article