Fatal accident inquiry to be held into death of woman who choked at nursing home

A fatal accident inquiry (FAI) will be held into the death of an elderly woman who choked on food at a nursing home.

Anne Amos, 72, died on September 13 2021 at Pine Villa Nursing Home in Loanhead, Midlothian.

The Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) has lodged a first notice for the inquiry, with a preliminary hearing set for January 20 and a start date for May 20 at Edinburgh Sheriff Court.

An FAI aims not to attribute blame, but looks at the cause of death, the circumstances in which it occurred, and to establish if any precautions could be taken to prevent similar incidents.

The inquiry will look at measures and risk assessments in use by the nursing home to mitigate choking hazards and the circumstances in which Ms Amos was left unattended.

Procurator fiscal Andy Shanks, who leads on death investigations for COPFS, said: “The death of Anne Amos occurred in circumstances giving rise to significant public concern and as such a discretionary fatal accident inquiry should be held.

“The lodging of the first notice enables FAI proceedings to commence under the direction of the sheriff.

“Ms Amos’s family will continue to be kept informed of significant developments as court proceedings progress.”