A CARE home confirmed last night that it had dismissed one of its nurses after a patient's death.

Patricia Beauchamp failed to attend an inquest into the death of stroke victim Brian Jones and so did not hear her care of the invalid described by Irene Waters, a national advisor on nursing, as "woefully below the accepted standards of care".

Retired stores controller Mr Jones, a resident at Saltburn's Hazelgrove Court nursing home, in east Cleveland, was found lying in bed comatose, his lips blue and legs purple and mottled.

He was discovered by nurse Odette Crawford, who took over from 63-year-old night shift nurse Mrs Beauchamp.

She telephoned 999 for an ambulance which took 69-year-old Mr Jones to Middlesbrough's James Cook University Hospital, where he died later the same day.

Mrs Crawford told Cleveland Coroner Michael Sheffield: "I am absolutely appalled by the care he received prior to my coming on duty.

"I am of the opinion he must have been unwell for some time during the course of the night, early morning. I am appalled a doctor or paramedic had not been called out earlier in order to administer treatment to Brian."

Mrs Beauchamp said in a statement to Cleveland Police: "My judgement may have been wrong in Brian's case. My judgement was to leave him where he was settled and comfortable."

The Crown Prosecution Service decided there was insufficient evidence to bring criminal charges against Mrs Beauchamp, but the home fired her.

Mr Sheffield recorded that Mr Jones died of natural causes but said his death was "contributed to by neglect".

He said: "This is in the limited sense, as laid down by the Courts of Appeal, and is not in any way related to neglect as we use it in every day language.

"Getting Mr Brian Jones medical attention earlier might have had some benefit, even for a short or temporary period. Even with antibiotics and treatment, he might still have died from bronchial pneumonia, but perhaps not at the time he did.

"I must emphasise there is no evidence that earlier treatment would necessarily have prevented his death from bronchial pneumonia - nor is there any evidence if earlier treatment during the night might have prolonged his life more than a few hours.''

Mr Jones' daughter, Penny, 25, said after the inquest: "I am pleased that the verdict's said 'contributed to by neglect'. Whether he would have survived or not, there should have been medical intervention earlier.''