SOCIAL care bosses have admitted failings following the death of a man who fell at a care home near Winchester.

An inquest heard how 84-year-old Gordon Penistan died following a fall at the Otterbourne Grange residential home, in Otterbourne, in May.

Mr Penistan, who had only been admitted to Otterbourne Grange on the day of his fall, was taken to the Royal Hampshire County Hospital (RHCH), where a scan revealed that he had suffered head trauma, which he died from a short time later.

Now social care bosses at Hampshire County Council have admitted shortcomings in the way Mr Penistan’s case was handled, which came around a month after a new ‘brokerage team’ was set up to help placements.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard heard how Mr Penistan had previously been a resident at The White House care home, in Sutton Scotney, and that his social care was being funded by his family, but due to financial issues, it was arranged with the county council that Mr Peniston would move.

However, Jacqueline Malee, a safeguarding quality and governance consultant at the council, told the inquest that Mr Penistan – who suffered from dementia, as well as a condition which affected his vision, making him more sensitive to changes in his environment – “should have had a ‘best interests’ meeting” before a decision was made.

On the day of Mr Penistan’s arrival he had become agitated due to the move, and during a short period that he was left alone workmen carrying out refurbishments at the care home began drilling, which appeared to agitate Mr Penistan further.

He got up and headed in the direction of the workmen, but suffered a fall.

Senior coroner Grahame Short, recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

He said: “HCC have acknowledged that the brokerage team was inexperienced and there was a number of shortcomings, especially that there was no best interests meeting.

“I know that changes have been put in place and some are still under way by HCC. Hopefully they will prevent others from having the same experience.”

A Hampshire County Council spokesperson said: “We would again like to send our sincere condolences to Mr Penistan’s family. In addition to our own review we will ensure the coroner’s findings and recommendations are fully implemented and all necessary actions taken.”