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Dementia sufferer left on bus 'badly let down' Dementia patient left on bus 'badly let down'
(35 minutes later)
A dementia sufferer left overnight on a Luton patient transport bus without food or water was "badly let down", her family have said. A dementia patient left overnight on a patient transport bus without food or water was "badly let down", her family have said.
Joan Cook, who is 88, spent 14 hours trapped on the bus in a depot. Joan Cook, who is 88, spent 14 hours trapped on the bus in a depot in Luton.
Vehicle driver Susan McLaughlin said she had been "distracted" but was cleared of neglect at Luton Crown Court.Vehicle driver Susan McLaughlin said she had been "distracted" but was cleared of neglect at Luton Crown Court.
Luton Borough Council said it was an "isolated incident", but Mrs Cook's family have demanded a law change. Luton Borough Council said it was an "isolated incident" but Mrs Cook's family have demanded a law change.
Her daughter Anne Holloway said: "[My mother] has been badly let down by the Luton transport department with their indifference," she said.Her daughter Anne Holloway said: "[My mother] has been badly let down by the Luton transport department with their indifference," she said.
"Also she has been badly let down by Westminster Homecare [whose staff] failed to notice that she wasn't [returned to her flat] and above all she has been let down by the law.""Also she has been badly let down by Westminster Homecare [whose staff] failed to notice that she wasn't [returned to her flat] and above all she has been let down by the law."
'Not acceptable''Not acceptable'
She said in neglect cases wilful neglect needed to be proved, and in this case they could not do that. She said in neglect cases wilful neglect needed to be proved and in this case that could not be done.
"We are going to pursue this by taking it to [our] MP to see if he can get the law changed so that neglect can deal with cases like this," she said."We are going to pursue this by taking it to [our] MP to see if he can get the law changed so that neglect can deal with cases like this," she said.
"It is not acceptable to just say I forgot someone. "It is not acceptable to just say 'I forgot someone'.
"We have been told Mrs McLaughlin lost her job but we are disappointed it wasn't recognised in the courts that she did wrong.""We have been told Mrs McLaughlin lost her job but we are disappointed it wasn't recognised in the courts that she did wrong."
Ms Holloway also called for training for those who drive and escort dementia patients to halt "indifference" to patients. Ms Holloway called for training for those who drive and escort dementia patients to halt "indifference" to patients.
The family said it was also "absolutely furious" that staff at Jill Jenkins Court "extra care housing" facility did not realise Mrs Cook had not been returned. The family said they were also "absolutely furious" staff at Jill Jenkins Court "extra care housing" facility did not realise Mrs Cook had not been returned.
"We heard "robust disciplinary actions" have taken place but it still beggars belief the culture on that day was again indifference," Ms Holloway said."We heard "robust disciplinary actions" have taken place but it still beggars belief the culture on that day was again indifference," Ms Holloway said.
'Shocking incident''Shocking incident'
Luton Borough Council said it was "very sorry that this shocking incident occurred" but was satisfied its policies and procedures have "always been sound".Luton Borough Council said it was "very sorry that this shocking incident occurred" but was satisfied its policies and procedures have "always been sound".
"Nonetheless we immediately conducted a thorough review and have strengthened these where appropriate in order to make absolutely sure that this can never happen," a statement read."Nonetheless we immediately conducted a thorough review and have strengthened these where appropriate in order to make absolutely sure that this can never happen," a statement read.
"This was entirely an isolated incident.""This was entirely an isolated incident."
Alison Foster from Westminster Homecare, said Jill Jenkins Court was an "independent living facility" where residents were "free to come and go as they please" but there was a care team on site. Alison Foster from Westminster Homecare said Jill Jenkins Court was an "independent living facility" where residents were "free to come and go as they please" but there was a care team on site.
"A review of the case showed that Mrs Cook was identified as not being there but there were errors in lines of reporting," she said."A review of the case showed that Mrs Cook was identified as not being there but there were errors in lines of reporting," she said.
"Disciplinary action was taken and there were dismissals and I would hope as a result this would not happen again.""Disciplinary action was taken and there were dismissals and I would hope as a result this would not happen again."