In a heartbreaking incident, Margaret Eluned Roberts, a 99-year-old blind woman who dreamed of celebrating her 100th birthday, passed away following a scalding accident involving a cup of hot tea at Glan Rhos nursing home in Brynsiencyn, Anglesey, UK.
An inquest held on August 19, 2025, detailed the devastating sequence of events that led to her death, raising critical questions about safety protocols for vulnerable residents in care facilities.
On September 22, 2024, Mrs. Roberts, a former environmental protection poultry meat inspector known for her fierce independence, was handed a plastic, two-handled beaker of hot black tea by healthcare assistant Sarah Thomas. Despite knowing Mrs. Roberts was registered blind, Ms. Thomas noted that the resident was “very independent” and wished to drink the tea herself. The tea was provided with a straw in the spout, and Ms. Thomas briefly observed Mrs. Roberts sipping it while seated before stepping away.
Around 7 p.m., tragedy struck when Mrs. Roberts accidentally spilled the scalding tea onto herself. Nurse Jo Reavey reported hearing Mrs. Roberts shouting in an urgent tone and found her distraught, arms raised, with the beaker upside down and tea staining her trousers.
The burn caused immediate blistering, and staff applied cold towels to alleviate the injury. Mrs. Roberts’ daughter, Linda Pritchard, was notified and questioned why a blind resident was given hot tea without additional precautions.
An ambulance was called at 7:51 p.m., arriving at the nursing home around 10 p.m. to transport Mrs. Roberts to Ysbyty Gwynedd in Bangor. The burn initially affected 8% of her body but was later reassessed as 4%, below the 10% threshold for transfer to a specialised burns unit. At the hospital, her blisters were lanced, the wound dressed, and she was discharged back to Glan Rhos. However, her condition worsened as she developed respiratory issues.
By October 7, Mrs. Pritchard requested her mother’s readmission to Ysbyty Gwynedd due to declining health. Dr. Abdul Azu, a consultant physician, testified that Mrs. Roberts had contracted a chest infection, likely worsened by immobility following the burn.
“Without a doubt, the burn contributed to her catching the chest infection because she was not moving about. She was lying in bed. The scalding was a factor in her declining health,” Dr. Azu told the inquest. Despite medical efforts, Mrs. Roberts passed away on October 28, 2024, approximately five weeks after the incident.
Senior coroner for northwest Wales, Kate Robertson, ruled the death accidental, attributing it to pneumonia and cellulitis secondary to the burn, with old age, asthma, and ischemic heart disease as contributing factors. Addressing Mrs. Pritchard, the coroner offered heartfelt condolences: “Mam wanted to reach 100 years old. It would have been such a significant milestone for her and for you. I hope there are fond memories you can rely upon when the time comes.”
The inquest highlighted critical gaps in safety measures for vulnerable residents, particularly those with visual impairments. While Mrs. Roberts was described as independent, the incident underscores the need for tailored care protocols to prevent such tragedies. Her passing, just months shy of her centennial milestone, has left her family and community in mourning and sparked reflection on improving care standards.
Although this tragedy occurred in the United Kingdom, it serves as a poignant reminder for Australian aged care providers of the critical importance of vigilance and tailored safety measures.
