'I don't want others failed after gran's death'

When Pearl Henderson developed end-stage dementia, her family hoped she would have a "peaceful" death, but they say the reality was very different.

The 98-year-old, from Bradford, died a week after falling out bed at home for the sixth time after her NHS-funded care was stopped and the local authority took over.

Her granddaughter, Kirstie Lumley, has called for change and said they were "failed" by a system that meant Pearl's final days were "physically and emotionally" traumatic.

The NHS and Bradford Council said they were unable to comment on individual cases but they "work closely together" to ensure those eligible for care and support receive services "appropriate to their needs".

In June 2023, Pearl was discharged from hospital following a urinary tract infection and awarded NHS fast track continuing healthcare.

The funding provides quick access to care for patients who are "rapidly deteriorating" and may be "entering a terminal phase of life."

Pearl was able to receive 86 hours of care per week, which the family topped up with an extra 14 hours paid privately.

It meant she could stay at home and have someone to sit with her overnight when she would often become confused and distressed.

But last summer, following a review, the family was told the funding would be withdrawn on 1 August because her needs were no longer primarily health-related.

Her social care was taken over by Bradford Council, which provided just over 19 hours of care per week.

It meant there was no longer anyone to sit with Pearl overnight and she would instead receive one 30-minute visit for toilet needs.

Within a week Pearl had fallen out of bed for the first time in a pattern which would repeat itself a further five times.

Kirstie said she believed her grandmother was "let down" because the local authority "failed to keep her safe".

"We knew she was going to die because she had end stage dementia.

"We weren't trying to prolong her life, and we were under no illusions that she was at the end of her life, but her ultimate death was much crueller than it needed to be," she explained.

Kirstie said the family felt "helpless" because they lived more than an hour away in Malton, North Yorkshire, and were advised Pearl was too frail to be moved into care and that bed rails would be too dangerous.

On 12 November 2025, Pearl fell out of bed for the sixth time in slightly more than three months and died a week later.

"She ultimately died from a fall that she should never have had," Kirstie said.

"It's just unbelievable that it could happen again and again and anyone I spoke to just said there wasn't really a solution.

"It just seems unfathomable that a lady of 98, at the end of her life, could be left knowing full well that we were waiting for the next fall and the next fall, that ultimately led to her death," she added.

The family wants changes to be made to the way people like Pearl are looked after.

"It upsets me to know there are so many people going through it, or who are going to go through it.

"I want to try to stop, if possible, anyone else going through that same situation and falling into the same gap where she didn't have adequate care to keep her safe," Kirstie said.

The family has appealed the decision to withdraw her NHS-funded care, but it has been rejected twice.

They have now appealed to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Philippa Hubbard, Bradford District and Craven Health and Care Partnership's nursing director, and Iain Macbeath, strategic director for adult social care at Bradford Council, said they "recognise the distress that the family has experienced".

The pair said they worked closely together to ensure people who are eligible for care and support received services appropriate to their assessed needs.

In a statement, they added: "This includes regularly reviewing care arrangements, responding to changes in a person's health or circumstances and working with individuals and families to help put the right support in place.

"We know that decisions about care can have a significant impact on individuals and their families and remain committed to working together to provide safe, compassionate and person-centred care and support.

"As with any case where a concern like this is raised, we are reaching out to the family to let them know what their rights are should they wish to have the case investigated further."

A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said: "Our deepest sympathies are with Pearl Henderson's family. This government is determined to ensure everyone has access to high-quality, compassionate care, from diagnosis through to end of life.

"Through the 10 Year Health Plan, we are addressing variations in diagnosis rates to deliver rapid and significant improvements in quality of care and productivity. This includes ensuring people receive a clear care plan, helping services support people better as their needs change."

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