The care provider and the manager were found guilty in court
Oakland House Nursing Home(Image: Manchester Evening News)
An elderly nursing home resident was left with horrific burns after being found on the floor of their room. But what happened next saw the home and its manager being ordered to pay more than £46,000 collectively.
The care provider and the manager were found guilty in court after causing ‘avoidable harm’ to a resident at Oakland House Nursing Home in Longsight, health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has said. Oakland House is operated by Equilibrium Healthcare Limited, providing accommodation and care for older people.
But after an incident where one resident was found lying next to a radiator before being rushed to hospital, health inspectors said the ‘failure of Equilibrium Healthcare Limited and Derek Stanley to manage the risks to this resident was unacceptable’. The care provider has said that ‘a range of improvements’ have been implemented since the incident.
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At around 2am on June 17, 2021, a resident was found at a planned check by staff, lying on the floor of their bedroom between the stand hoist used to help them in and out of bed, and the radiator. The resident’s left thigh was leaning on the radiator pipe which resulted in a substantial burn.
The resident had last been checked on just after midnight. Staff called an ambulance, and they were taken to hospital where they were admitted and treated.
The health watchdog came to inspect the home after the incident – sharing it found that although the specific radiator pipe in the resident’s room had been covered after the emergency, similar exposed pipes remained in communal bathrooms, lounges and some other people’s bedrooms.
An independent health and safety expert concluded that the risk from hot pipes was foreseeable and should have been identified through a competent risk assessment, that staff responsible for undertaking risk assessments were inadequately trained, and that the risks posed by the resident’s specific mobility needs and behaviours were not adequately considered.
The care provider was fined £26,800(Image: Manchester Evening News)
On March 5, 2026, at Manchester and Salford Magistrates’ Court, Equilibrium Healthcare Limited pleaded guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment to the resident resulting in avoidable harm. This resulted in one offence under Regulation 22 (2)(a) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
Equilibrium Healthcare Limited was fined £26,800 for this. It was also ordered to pay a £464 victim surcharge and £17,692.33 costs.
Derek Stanley, the registered manager of the service also pled guilty to failing to provide safe care and treatment to the resident resulting in avoidable harm. This resulted in one offence under 22(2)(a) of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 (Regulated Activities) Regulations 2014.
Derek Stanley was fined £1,160 and also ordered to pay a £464 victim surcharge.
Alison Chilton, CQC’s deputy director operations in Greater Manchester said: “People receiving care and treatment have the right to expect that any risks to their safety will be effectively managed. This isn’t what happened when this resident was in the care of Oakland House Nursing Home.
“The failure of Equilibrium Healthcare Limited and Derek Stanley to manage the risks to this resident was unacceptable. The majority of care providers do an excellent job.
“However, when a provider puts people in its care at risk of harm, we will take action to hold them to account and to protect people. I hope the outcome of this prosecution reminds care providers of their duty to assess and manage all risks to ensure people are kept safe.”
A spokesperson for Equilibrium Healthcare Limited told the Manchester Evening News: “Equilibrium Healthcare recognises the failings following the June 2021 incident and apologises for the harm caused. In response, we implemented a range of improvements across the group, including strengthening environmental, estates, and health and safety oversight, enhanced training and audit processes, review of policies and risk assessments, and action to ensure radiators and pipework were inspected and covered in line with best practice guidance.”