STAFF at a care home where a pensioner died had been given no special training with rails used to stop patients falling from their beds, a court heard yesterday.

The staff were giving evidence on the opening day of a Health and Safety Executive (HSE) prosecution brought after the death of 80-year-old Doreen Stubbs.

The dementia sufferer was found dead in her room at South Church Care Home, in Bishop Auckland, County Durham, in May 2002.

Durham magistrates were told Mrs Stobbs died from asphyxiation after her head became trapped between the bars of the cot rail, which had been put there to stop her falling from the bed.

The court heard she had twice fallen from the bed in previous weeks, despite the cot sides being put up.

Senior care assistant Vivien Taylor said she put Mrs Stobbs to bed that night and erected the cot rails at either side.

"As far as I was aware, they were safe. I had no reason to believe they weren't safe.

"When I checked, she had fallen partly out of bed and was dangling in the cot sides.

"I stopped and didn't know what to do. I was in a sheer panic and I thought I've got to do something about it and I ran to get help."

Asked by prosecuting barrister Andrew Finlay if she received any special training over the use of the cot sides, Miss Taylor said: "No, it was just basic.

"We do size assessments now, measuring the residents' head and the gap between the rails when they are on the bed."

Mr Finlay told the court that, when Mrs Stobbs was admitted to the home, in February 2002, she was immediately identified as at risk of falling from her bed.

Following Mrs Stobbs' death, an improvement notice was sent by the HSE to South Durham Care Ltd, listing shortcomings in procedure over the use of cot sides.

Mr Finlay said: "This was not challenged and all the recommendations have been implemented."

Anthony Hoyland, an HSE inspector, said he does not believe the cot sides involved were suitable for the task, with "rather flimsy brackets".

He said: "I don't know why they were designed like this. Any engineer would not design something like that."

South Church Care Ltd's owner at the time of the tragedy, David Powell, is in court to answer the prosecution on behalf of the company.

Mr Finlay said Mr Powell had conceded in interview there may have been no specific policy relating to cot sides, and he added he did not appreciate the risk.

The home has since been taken over by new owners, who have no connection with the prosecution.

The former operating company denies a single charge of failing to take reasonable precautions to ensure the safety of someone in its care.

The case continues.