Disabled Battle woman died after choking on pancake

Louise Onions, 47, who lived at Pedros care home in Hastings Road, Battle, took the food from the kitchen after dinner.

Staff from the home, which looks after adults with learning disabilities, tried to dislodge the food by slapping her back and performing the Heimlich manoeuvre before calling paramedics.

After collapsing they then tried to resuscitate her while waiting for ambulance crews.

But Miss Onions died later the same day.

The accident happened on May 21 last year.

Howard Smith, a support worker at Pedros, said he shouted for help when he saw Miss Onions choking and struggling to catch her breath.

He said: "We had just finished our evening meal which was pancakes. Louise wanted more but we said there wasn't any more.

"She was asked to take her cup back to the kitchen, wash her hands and clean her teeth.

"I then collected the other plates and as I walked to the kitchen she came out and was chewing. I asked what she had and realised it was pancake."

The inquest on Wednesday heard that Miss Onions, who had autistic traits and suffered from anxiety, tried to hide the food from staff as she knew she was not supposed to take it but ended up choking.

Rebecca Scantlebury, senior support worker at Pedros, which is managed by Hastings and Rother Primary Care Trust (PCT), said Miss Onions, a diabetic, was 'obsessed with food'.

She said: "Louise liked to know what was on the menu and often asked when the next meal was coming. She was trying to control her weight.

"Louise liked to help out in the kitchen but any activity had to be supervised. She also used to take food from other people's plates."

Coroner Alan Craze recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the inquest Miss Onions' father Ron said he was satisfied with the verdict.

A spokeswoman for the PCT said: "The trust was very sorry to learn of the death of Louise Onions, a resident of Pedros, on May 21 last year.

"We offered our condolences to members of the family at the time and do so again.

"Following Louise's death we conducted a thorough internal investigation and have kept her family fully informed of its findings.

"The recommendations from our investigation have been implemented and we have shared our report with the coroner, safeguarding leads in community health services and adult social care and with the Care Quality Commission."