A care home is being investigated by police after the death of a 93-year-old resident.
The Croft House Rest Home in Kirkham Road, Freckleton was reported by Blackpool Coroner Anne Hind, after she was made aware of the death of Freda Owens.
The 22-bed home had already been told to improve by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission.
Mrs Owens was found with scold injuries to her lower back at the home, and later died in the Royal Preston Hospital.
A police spokesman said: “The coroner has asked Lancashire Constabulary to investigate the circumstances regarding the death of a 93-year-old woman who died following an incident at the Croft House Rest Home, Kirkham Road, Freckleton on November 2, 2012.
“The woman was admitted to the Royal Preston Hospital suffering from burns and sadly died on January 3.
“We are at the early stages of an investigation and officers are keeping an open mind as to what has happened and are working closely with the Care Quality Commission and Fylde Borough Council.
“We will be speaking to a number of people as we try to establish what has happened and will be keeping the family and the coroner updated of our enquiries.”
The inquest into Mrs Owens’ death was opened and adjourned by Blackpool coroner Anne Hind
The cause of death has been reported as bronchial pneumonia due to necrotic, chronic pressure ulcer to the left hip and burns or scalds to the buttock.
The home was last inspected by the Care Quality Commision (CQC) in August 2012, and failed three out of five Government standards. These are:
n Standards of providing care, treatment and support that meets people’s needs.
n Standards of caring for people’s safety and protecting them from harm
n Standards of quality and suitability of management.
The CQC declined to comment on the case, but as part of his August report, inspector Sandeep Phull, said: “Care planning and risk management were inadequate and did not promote the safety and welfare of residents.
“The activities provided did not meet the wishes of residents.”
The inspector also said: “Policies, procedures and staff training helped to protect people from potential abuse; however a lack of staff knowledge meant that people were not fully protected from the risk of unlawful or excessive control.”
He added that the management of medications did not fully protect people against potential risks.
A spokesman for Fylde Borough Council said: “We are helping the police with enquiries from a health and safety point of view.
“This work is ongoing.”
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