Coroner raises alarm after woman, 90, dies following care home fall
Joan Murphy could not reach an emergency call bell or wear a personal alarm when she fell at Deer Park View in Teddington.
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A coroner has raised concerns about safety at a Teddington care home after a 90-year-old resident died following a fall. Joan Murphy died on 30 January 2026, weeks after falling in the bathroom of Deer Park View care home on 15 January 2026. She had been unable to reach the emergency call bell in the bathroom and was not wearing a wearable alarm, according to the coroner.
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Melanie Lee, coroner for West London, stated in a Prevention of Future Deaths report that Ms Murphy, who was at high risk of falls, could not reach the emergency call bell hanging from her bathroom ceiling when she fell. The report also noted that Ms Murphy did not have a pendant or wearable alarm. Although she managed to shout for help and attract attention, she suffered fractured ribs, a heart attack, and pneumonia, leading to her death in hospital. The inquest ruled her death an accident.
Operator's response and improvements
Care UK, the operator of Deer Park View, confirmed in response to the coroner's report that the home did not have wearable alarms available at the time of the incident. The company stated that alternative equipment, such as sensors and call bells, were in place. Liam Jennings, Care UK's Regional Director, said the company offers its condolences to Ms Murphy's family and that a thorough investigation is conducted after any safety incident. He added that wearable alarms have since been ordered to ensure availability for residents who require them. The care home is currently rated "Good" by the Care Quality Commission.
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Questions this report answers
+What happened to Joan Murphy?
Joan Murphy, aged 90, died on 30 January 2026 after suffering a fall at Deer Park View care home in Teddington on 15 January 2026. The fall resulted in fractured ribs and led to pneumonia and heart failure.
+Why could Joan Murphy not call for help?
When Ms Murphy fell, she was unable to reach the emergency call bell in her bathroom. She was also not wearing a wearable alarm, which the coroner noted was a concern.
+What has the care home operator said?
Care UK, which runs Deer Park View, confirmed that wearable alarms were not available at the time of the incident but have since been ordered. They stated that alternative equipment was in place and that they conduct thorough investigations after safety incidents.
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