Care home call after man's death

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The family of a man who died after being attacked by another resident in a care home has called for action to prevent similar tragedies.

Jim Hutchison, 90, who suffered from Alzheimer's disease, was assaulted in Dundee's Tullideph Nursing Home.

Earlier this month a sheriff ruled the war veteran's death could have been avoided if his attacker had been properly supervised.

His daughter Catherine Kelly said care homes had to address staffing issues.

Mr Hutchison was attacked by Andrew Brown, a man with a history of violent behaviour.

The government needs to sit up and take notice of what is happening to these poor old souls Catherine Kelly

He suffered bruising and broken bones after trying to stop Mr Brown assaulting a female resident in December 2002.

Following Sheriff Alistair Duff's judgement after a fatal accident inquiry into the death, the home was also reprimanded for not properly assessing Mr Brown before he was admitted to Tullideph.

An investigation by the Care Commission found that Tullideph had the minimum staff requirements operating on the night of the attack.

Mr Hutchison's daughter claimed that issues of staff shortages and low wages in care homes must be addressed.

'Thoroughly investigated'

"It has taken a long time to come to terms with our dad having died in the way he did," she said.

"The government needs to sit up and take notice of what is happening to these poor old souls."

A spokesman for Four Seasons Health Care, which operates Tullideph, said: "The distressing circumstances surrounding Mr Hutchison's death four years ago have been thoroughly investigated by the sheriff's inquiry.

"As a company dedicated to providing the highest standards of care we welcome his report."

He said changes had been introduced to the care procedures following the incident.