A city care home has vowed to make changes after a 91-year-old resident was “thrown” from a chair, a court has heard. 

Albert Wright had been living at Whitehall Lodge, close to Unthank Road, Norwich, when the incident happened earlier this year on January 13.  

During an inquest into his death at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, evidence revealed that the retired painter and decorator had been living at the home for just three days. 

Fred Fennell, of the care home’s management team, said: “Albert was admitted for six weeks following several falls at home within nine months. 

“Albert had not slept in a bed for ages and asked for a rising recliner chair, upon which the family brought one in for his use. 

“On January 13, two healthcare assistants were sitting in the longue. 

“They heard a bang, so went to Albert’s room and saw him on the floor. 

“He said to them ‘that threw me across the room – my fault' and pointed to the chair’s remote control." 

He was subsequently taken to hospital and returned to the care home on January 17, where he later died on February 10. 

Mr Fennell added: “We have had our investigations and have concluded we will not allow equipment into the home without full instructions.” 

He confirmed that the chair had since been removed. 

Mr Wright’s daughter, Jacqueline Grant, added: "We do not blame the care home for any of this.  

“We were happy with the care that Dad had received while there. Dad seemed quite happy there. 

“It was unfortunate that this happened.” 

Area coroner Yvonne Blake confirmed his medical cause of death was a subdural hematoma due to a fall with a head injury. He also had vascular dementia. 

She concluded his death was “accidental”.

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