Nan “Vibrant” dies after falling off an escalator in St Johns Precinct

Homage was paid to a “spirited” granny who died weeks after a tragic accident in central Liverpool.

Dovecot’s Bernice Whitehead sadly died at Royal Liverpool Hospital in the early hours of Tuesday morning, 27 October.

The 86-year-old was hospitalized for the first time three weeks ago after falling on an escalator and banging her head while shopping with a friend in St Johns Precinct.

The results of an X-ray showed that Bernice had broken two neck bones during the fall, but did not completely lose her mobility.

Describing her grandmother as a “fighter”, granddaughter Kimberly Holder said they “knew the road to recovery was not going to be easy”, but with the help of physiotherapy Bernice began to mobilize and her firing was discussed. at home.

However, after contracting a water infection followed by a chest infection in the hospital, Bernice’s condition began to deteriorate and her family was told she still had days to live.

Bernice tested positive for the coronavirus on Saturday after a patient in the same ward contracted the virus.

She sadly died in hospital on Tuesday morning.

Kimberly and her family say there have been shortages in Bernice’s care and that neglect on the part of hospital staff may have contributed to her death.

A formal investigation has now been initiated by the Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust.

Kimberly, 36, told ECHO: “Nan was a lively and dignified woman who had lived and survived a war.

“What she and the whole family have suffered is cruel and worst of all avoidable.

“The result for Nan may have always been her death, but she didn’t deserve to go this way.”

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In homage, Kimberly described her Nan as “a young soul trapped in the body of an old lady”.

She said, “She was good for her age. She had a young personality.

“Nobody had a bad word to say about her.

“If you were on her good side, then you were fine, but if not, she was a force to be reckoned with.

“We lost our grandfather a year ago. He’s spent the last year trying to get his life back on track.

“When we went into solitary confinement in March she was locked up alone.”

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On the day of the accident Kimberly said: “She went out to town with a friend to do some shopping and she had a terrible accident.

“She fell on an escalator in St John’s and hit her head hard enough to fracture her neck.”

Kimberly added: “It’s the glue that has held the whole family together.

“Life won’t be the same without her.”

Dianne Brown, Chief Nurse at Liverpool University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said, “I spoke to Bernice’s family to offer my sincere condolences.

“Providing safe, effective and compassionate care is our top priority and we are currently examining all aspects of Bernice’s care to see if we have been insufficient in any of these areas. We will keep the family involved every step of the way.” .