The funeral of an elderly woman who died in a nursing home is on hold as her family implores the Coroner to investigate the circumstances of the death. Sue Willimott, of Magill, disputes that her mother Debbie Willimott died of a chest infection, as originally stated on her death certificate after the 87-year-old resident at a privately run suburban nursing home died last Saturday. Ms Willimott has delivered the Coroner’s office photos of a festering wound on her late mother’s leg. And she says the funeral director she has engaged has told her the funeral will have to be delayed in case there is an inquest. The Coroner’s office and the funeral director declined to comment. Debbie Willimott, whose medical conditions included diabetes, had been in the nursing home since May after increasing difficulties living alone in her Ingle Farm unit. Her daughter said she had raised concerns with management about the care of her mother, including events that led to her receiving treatment for pneumonia at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in October. Ms Willimott claims a care program was not adhered to at the home, and says she had to insist that her mother be taken to hospital in July with slurred speech. Her mother was found to have had a stroke, she said. A major concern for the family is the treatment of a leg wound dating to the middle of the year. The family claims they were not allowed to see the wound being treated by nursing home staff when they visited. “After mum died and I was with her, I took off the bandage and the large wound was black, green and yellow. It was disgusting and so were the bandages,” Ms Willimott said. “I took photos at the time and have taken them to the Coroner’s office and asked them to investigate. “They have told me they will be seeking records from the home, from the Queen Elizabeth Hospital and from the district nurse. The retirement home confirmed the case was under review but declined to comment.
