Probe into Ashover’s Grove House care home after assault claims

Jill Gregory, 59, of Chesterfield, appointed Irwin Mitchell solicitors after her mother Enid Gregory passed away four months after the second of two alleged assaults at Peak Care’s Grove House residential care home in Ashover.

Ms Gregory claims her mother was never the same after the alleged assaults in December 2012 as her health deteriorated and she had a heart attack caused by septicaemia and pneumonia and died in April 2013.

Sophie Davies, of Irwin Mitchell’s, said: “Jill has been devastated by her mother’s death and found it very difficult to watch Mrs Gregory deteriorate so quickly over a short period. The attacks which she suffered eight days apart were frightening and we’re investigating whether more could have been done by the home’s Peak Care to prevent them occurring, particularly in the case of the second assault, given that they were aware of the first assault and had reassured Mrs Gregory action would be taken to protect her.”

Ms Davies added that Peak Care has denied liability and Irwin Mitchell is considering issuing court proceedings to identify any safety shortcomings and preventative measures.

Ms Gregory claims during the second alleged assault her mother had been pushed over and staff later revealed her mother had been allegedly hit by the same resident previously.

The dementia patient has since been removed from the home, according to Ms Gregory.

Ms Gregory added: “I would like answers from the care home about why more wasn’t done to protect my mother.”