Case Studies
Abuse Shock
A WATCHDOG ordered urgent action at a nursing home after staff exposed patient abuse.
THE Daily Post can reveal that Bodawen residential home, Tremadog, recently at the centre of abuse allegations was ordered to take urgent action after staff complained to a health watchdog.
The Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales was called in to investigate a string of claims at the home.
The allegations were separate to a police inquiry involving ex-matron Avola Humphreys on claims of manslaughter and abusing residents.
She was cleared by a jury last week of all charges.
In October, while police were still gathering evidence for the court case, the CSIW launched an inquiry into the whistleblowers' complaints.
CSIW inspector Susan Kane, in her report last month, told the home's owner, David Whittle, the staff's conduct fell "way below" that expected of them, and put much of the blame on poor management.
Miss Kane added a new manager had already made changes to meet her recommendations.
And disciplinary proceedings are under way.
Five staff were suspended at the time, and police called in. Officers said last month no charges are expected against any workers.
Miss Kane's report found senior staff took the lead in "general horseplay".
Last night one of the whistleblowers, who has since left, described the place during his time there as "hell" where often confused residents were left overnight covered in their own faeces and urine.
The carer - who wants to remain anonymous for fear of reprisals - said one morning he and another carer found an elderly woman lying in bed.
He said: "She had very, very bad bed sores. She was covered in faeces, full of pee and the room stank. This was at 7.45am.
"She had been lying like that all night. The other staff member with me was disgusted."
The resident was brought down to the treatment room.
He said: "I saw them lifting her up like a piece of meat. She was in such a terrible state. She should never have been left like that.
"I felt as if they didn't have any feelings.
"Every time I spoke to anybody about what was going on, nobody took a blind bit of notice of me. I said if you don't sort out this place I am going to blow the lid on all this. You have got to be there to see what's going on. They didn't treat people as human beings."
