Two wealthy brothers who ran a dangerous and dirty care home with rooms like "prison cells" where residents were not bathed or showered for a month have been fined £80,800.

Amjad and Amer Latif admitted 14 offences after a snap inspection horrified investigators and led to a court order to close the home, Mossley Manor, in Mossley Hill, south Liverpool.

They were called in by a woman who took her mother out of the home just two hours after first arriving.

Inspectors from watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) gagged at the overpowering stench inside the dirty and dangerous home, which charged a minimum of £1,000 per month to look after each of its 43 residents, many funded by the taxpayer.

It is not known how long residents had been forced to live in such squalor.

The brothers admitted at an earlier hearing failing to notify authorities about the deaths of 10 residents at the home, failing to inform the CQC of three serious incidents, failing to provide safe care and exposing residents to "significant" risk and harm.

Amjad, 56, who lives in a £1 million house in Bowdon, Cheshire, and Amer, 47, who lives in a £1.2 million gated house on a tree-lined street in Woolton, south Liverpool, pleaded guilty to 14 charges in all, between April 14 and June 2015.

The home and grounds are now on the market for £2.7 million.

Only Amjad appeared in the dock for sentencing at Liverpool Magistrates' Court, as a representative of the partnership running the business.

District Judge Andrew Shaw shook his head as Jenny Ashworth, prosecuting, outlined the catalogue of offences, saying the home was "depressing, unhygienic and unsafe".

Before passing sentence, Judge Shaw said he had read the "harrowing" prosecution case papers.

He said: "It was a distressing experience and emotionally I felt both a degree of incredulity and anger that the residents in this home were so betrayed by the individuals paid to look after them and deriving a considerable amount for doing so.

"This was a lack-of-care home, not a care home."

Earlier, Miss Ashworth told the court: "The defendants received significant income from the operation of this care home, £1,000 per month per service user.

"The defendants were regularly on site, the two brothers had an office at the location.

"The defendants must have seen the state of the premises and should have acted.

"The dignity of these elderly and vulnerable service users was compromised."

Conditions only came to light as a result of the CQC inspections in May and June 2015.

Inspectors found there was no hot water, toilets were dirty and there was a risk of infections spreading.

There was not enough staff, they were not trained and some who were employed had criminal convictions while looking after elderly and vulnerable residents.

The premises were badly maintained and unsafe, some windows did not close properly and there were fire hazards, with residents smoking in the home, with cigarette butts and ash on furniture and carpets.

Residents were also put to bed at 6pm as there were no activities, nothing for them to do and TVs did not work.

Inspectors also reported an "overpowering" smell of stale urine and body odour and some residents, some incontinent, had not been given a bath or shower for at least four weeks.

A member of staff told inspectors: "Some of the bedrooms are like a prison cell."

All 43 residents were rehoused by the local authority.

It is only the fourth prosecution by the CQC since the watchdog was given new powers to prosecute care home owners.

Kevin Donnelly, defending, said the brothers were educated men with professional qualifications and other business interests.

They inherited the home from their late father in 2002, and decided to take over running the business, an "unwise" decision as they had no idea what running a care home entailed, complacency set in and they failed to take sufficient interest in the enterprise.

Mr Donnelly said the findings of the inspectors came as a "great shock" and they were genuinely remorseful.

"They don't intend to operate in this sector again," he added.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt welcomed the prosecution but the Government is under pressure to provide more cash as councils struggle to pay fees for residential care and homes close as they are making losses.

Barbara Keeley MP, Labour's shadow minister for social care and mental health, said: "There are wider questions for the Government on just how this level of neglectful care was allowed to develop unchecked.

"The Government must ensure our care system does not allow standards to fall to the level found at this care home, leaving residents exposed to harm and neglect."

The Latifs were also ordered to pay £1,509.72p in court costs.

SOURCE: Belfast Telegraph

Care home responds to ruling on nurse who was struck off for forcing medication on patient

A nurse who forced an elderly dementia patient to take her medication was dismissed immediately, care home bosses say.

Susan Capewell was struck off after a health care assistant saw her using her hands and arm to prise open the patients mouth.

She was working for Care UK at The Willows Nursing Home in Cavendish Road, Beechwood, Middlesbrough, when she forced the medication on the woman, who was in her 80s .

The victim appeared ‘distressed’ and spat the medication out in the June, 2015 incident, the Nursing and Midwifery Council heard.

Capewell had also lied about gaining a prescribing qualification when she previously obtained a job with the Woodbridge Medical Centre, Southall.

Care UK has confirmed it investigated the incident, before sacking Capewell and reporting her to the NMC.

A spokesperson for the company said: “We pride ourselves on running homes with the highest possible standards of care and compassion. We will not tolerate poor care or dishonesty and we expect everyone who works for us to treat residents with kindness and respect.

“When this matter came to light, we investigated the matter fully, dismissed the nurse concerned and reported her to the NMC.”

A previous panel had already imposed an 18-month interim suspension order on Capewell who chose to ignore the order, and continued to work at her new job with Endeavour Practise.

She told the panel she had made mistakes, and prioritised patients.

She said: “I can only say that I’m not a bad person; I always hoped I put the best interests of the patient first.

“I am deeply sorry for my actions, which have brought these allegations against me.

“There’s not a day goes by that I don’t get upset by all that has happened and I’ve suffered bouts of depression and emotion instability since.”

SOURCE: Gazette Live, Toni Guillot

Fury over new nurse shift times which union claims will compromise elderly care

A NURSING union has hit out at new shift patterns which they claim will compromise the care of vulnerable dementia patients and put staff at increased risk of assaults.

The Independent Federation of Nursing is considering legal action over a change in work patterns for staff at Glasgow’s Stobhill hospital.

Nurses who care for elderly patients with advanced dementia within mental health wards at Stobhill Hospital are entitled to three half-hour breaks in a 12-hour shift.

The union said the shift pattern also entitled staff to an extra day off over a four-week period.

Shift patterns are now to be aligned with staff at the acute hospital, which will afford them two one-hour breaks.

The Independent Federation of Nursing say shorter, more frequent breaks gives dementia patients greater continuity of care as well as respite for staff from the pressures of the job.

Irenee O’Neil, general secretary of the union, said: “The implications for patient care is that there will not be the intensity of clinical interaction between staff and patients.

“Where we are dealing with patients with dementia, there needs to be a constancy.

“If people are off the ward for an hour at a time because of their fragile mental state it can confuse patients and could increase the number of assaults.”

The union believes it may have a case to pursue individual discrimination claims on the grounds that it will impact on the work life balance of staff.

A spokesman for NHSGGC said: “We have a flexible rostering policy which local ward managers implement to agree work patterns that best suit the needs of patients and staff.

“This ensures there are the right numbers and skill mix on duty, at the right time, to deliver care and ensure safe and effective services are delivered.”

SOURCE: Caroline Wilson, Greenock Telegraph

DAVID BADDIEL WARNS OF DEMENTIA 'EPIDEMIC' AS HE LAUNCHES FILM ON DISEASE IMPACT

Comedian David Baddiel has called for the "epidemic" of dementia as a killer of older people to be given more public attention.

The 52-year-old, whose father Colin is housebound and receives 24-hour care, has made a television programme exploring the impact dementia has on close family members of sufferers.

He said creating The Trouble With Dad was hard but decided there must be a wider dialogue about the disease.

Baddiel told the Radio Times: "There is no situation where it is straightforwardly OK to put someone on camera who is not totally informed about it due to dementia, as is the case here.

"But the alternative is that nobody ever talks about this, and we must. It's an epidemic - the largest killer of older people, bigger than cancer. We must bring that into the light."

His father, 82, suffers from Pick's disease - a rare type of dementia that can see sufferers become sexually disinhibited and prone to swearing and rude behaviour.

The film, set to air on Channel 4 in February, focuses on the relationship between Colin and Baddiel and his brother Ivor.

The comedian, who is probably best known for his work with Frank Skinner, said he feels "exhausted" after weekly visits with his father.

"He's hard work. Some times he's not too mad, but others he's very thankless. He can be extremely exasperating."

The father of two added: "He doesn't understand who the kids are any more. He was never a cuddly grandpa. He doesn't always know Ivor and me.

"He understands he has sons, and can recognise pictures of us from our teens, but he seems to think we should still look like that."

SOURCE: Care Appointments, Joe Nerssessian

TOO MANY CARE HOMES 'SIMPLY NOT COMING UP TO SCRATCH', FORMER CARE MINISTER

There are "still dark corners" among Britain's care homes that need to be investigated to restore public confidence, a former health minister has warned.

Alistair Burt joined Tory backbencher Peter Heaton-Jones (North Devon) in demanding urgent action to address standards in Britain's care homes, amid claims too many are "simply not coming up to scratch".

Among their concerns were care homes banning families who complained about their relative's treatment - a practice dubbed "completely unacceptable" by Health Minister Nicola Blackwood.

Speaking in an adjournment debate on the issue in the Commons, Mr Burt (pictured) said: "For the great work that's done in care homes, there are still dark corners, and it's those corners that a light must be shone on.

"In order to protect families, it's essential that the sort of things that have been brought out, both by my honourable friend's campaign and what we've seen in the media the past couple of days, have got to come to an end to give the public confidence."

Mr Heaton-Jones, who led the debate, told MPs there were a growing number of cases where relatives were being banned from care homes for complaining about care.

He added: "In some cases, it has been known to lead even to the eviction of the elderly person from the home.

"Private care homes are defined in law as ultimate landlords. Quite simply, they can decide who goes on the premises, or not.

"A private care home also has the power to prevent health professionals from visiting the home. Just think about that for a moment."

MPs heard that on Wednesday, ahead of this debate, the CQC published new guidance saying care homes must keep records of such incidents.

Mr Heaton-Jones also raised concern about the proportion of care homes rated as either inadequate or requiring improvement, which accounted for around 200 of the 450 most recently inspected establishments.

He also said the CQC was more than a year behind schedule with a major inspection programme, while the complaints procedure for care homes was a "bewildering labyrinth" of different organisations.

He added: "We have a growing number of cases where care homes are simply not coming up to scratch."

In reply, Ms Blackwood said a new, tougher inspection regime had been brought in and was leading to improvements in standards.

She added that the CQC had been ambitious in its original timetable for inspections, but was now on course to complete this work by March.

As for complaints, Ms Blackwood said there was a statutory requirement for care home providers to operate a complaints system, which was enforced by the CQC.

She added: "We do know that this system is not working perfectly.

"Despite the progress we're making we still hear too many stories that highlight people's real concerns about the quality and safety in social care, and we are determined to do better.

"We also hear that those receiving care or their families can be reluctant to make a complaint for fear of consequences, especially if it's about the care home where they're living.

"Indeed, only this week there was a story on the Victoria Derbyshire Show about care homes banning relatives who make a complaint about the quality of care.

"We find this completely unacceptable. It is right that people and their families should feel able to raise concerns without fear of reprisals."

SOURCE: careappointments.co.uk, The Press Association

Police called to deal with 'aggressive' 90-year-old refusing to take her medicine at care home

Police were called to a care home to deal with an aggressive 90-year-old woman who was refusing to take her medicine.

Details of the incident emerged in posts on Twitter from Sgt Harry Tangye, who was on duty in an armed response vehicle.

He was sent to the nursing home after helping rescue a missing 16-year-old girl who was found by dog walkers in Ludwell Valley Park, Exeter, on Friday night.

The woman was confused due to an infection, was refusing to take antibiotics and was acting aggressively. Staff called the police as they were unable to cope with her.

Sgt Tangye helped calm her, ensured the care home staff were safe and left the resident in the care of a doctor.

Officers in the armed response vehicle team cover the whole of the Devon and Cornwall force area.

The incident led to a debate on social media about use of police resources.

A former police officer questioned why police were sent to deal with what appeared to be a medical issue.

Harry Tangye is an Armed Response Sergeant with Devon & Cornwall Police

Sgt Tangye said the 90-year-old was "very strong" and was pulling around three "very slight" women staff.

He said at first the woman refused to believe the police were genuine. But he helped to gently calm her and ensured the nursing home staff were safe. He said it was an unusual case and the care home was "lovely".

He said in a Twitter update about the callout at 10.20pm on Friday: "Currently with a very strong 90 yr old lady at a lovely care home! Urine infection caused her to be confused and aggressive, bless her".

In response to questions from Twitter users, Sgt Tangye explained: "...their night turn were not able to cope whilst she was so aggressive. All ok now. No criticism of them."

The woman was left in the care of Devon Doctors.

Former police officer and commentator on police issues Peter Kirkham questioned the decision to call police.

He replied to Sgt Tangye: "What on EARTH are a care home thinking of, calling police to her???"

He added: "Police are NOT there to cover for the utter incompetence of private corporations."

And retired public sector worker Ian Bishop said: "No way should police be involved at any stage in this. Ridiculous".

Police Community Support Officer Kirsty Down, based at Saltash in Cornwall, said callouts to care homes were "not uncommon" as a result of low staffing and most did not have a restraint policy. The days were gone when police just dealt with crime, she added.

She agreed with Mr Kirkham that the incident should be referred to senior management at the care home.

Ex-policeman Russ McPhillips said: "Police shouldn't deal with this. Shameful decimation of social care."

Others praised Sgt Tangye for the way he dealt with the situation. Terri Ann Jackson tweeted: "Fantastic work".

SOURCE: Exeter Express and Echo, Ed Oldfield

Social care deficit to be tackled by up to 6% Council Tax rise

Local authorities could be set to raise council taxes by as much as 6% over the next two years to tackle the desperate under-funding of social care, according to early reports.

The social care crisis is a long-term problem, with demand outstripping resources. The funding gap – the shortfall between demand for care and the money available to pay for it – is set to reach £2.5 billion by 2020.

Dementia is now the biggest killer, and with numbers of people living with dementia set to soar to 1 million by 2021, the demand for social care is only going to rise.  70% of those living in care homes and 60% of homecare users have dementia. Alzheimer’s Society predicts that the number of people with dementia living in care homes will increase to 358,000 by 2020, with associated costs reaching £4.9 billion.

Commenting on the social care precept, Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said:

'For a system as starved as social care, a funding boost in any form is desperately needed. Time and again, people with dementia and their families are bearing the brunt of the crisis. From the devoted daughter making a 200 mile trip to make sure her mum gets a hot meal to the 82 year old lady hospitalised with a urinary tract infection because she stopped getting support to have a shower each day.'

He continued,

'However, this is a national crisis that needs national leadership. The Government is effectively washing its hands of it by passing the buck to local Councils while providing no assurance that the money needed to fund care can be raised. With more deprived parts of the country unable to raise as much as their more affluent counterparts, the precept will widen inequalities without addressing the fundamental disconnect between the amount care costs and the amount councils have to spend on it.'

The existing 2% social care precept raised £382 million, and a 1% annual increase will provide an additional £200 million each year. However, the precept promotes considerable regional variation, with the most affluent areas potentially raising three times as much as the poorer boroughs. According to the King’s Fund, Manchester and Newham will be able to make £5 per person while Kingston upon Thames will generate £15.

Good social care means good dementia care – with few treatments and no cure, the majority of people with dementia’s needs are met through social care. Without extra funding, local authorities have been forced to tighten the eligibility criteria for social care in an attempt to balance their books. This has resulted in 500,000 fewer older and disabled people accessing care since 2010, and a knock on effect of increased emergency admissions to hospital.

SOURCE: Alzheimers Society

UK care home boss warns Wirral Council its 'extraordinarily low fees' are putting vulnerable at risk

THE chief executive of the largest representative body for independent providers of adult social care has publicly voiced concerns about the viability of many care homes throughout Wirral.

Professor Martin Green, boss of Care England, said looking after elderly and vulnerable people cannot be done on a shoestring and urged the local authority to increase fees paid to providers.

However the town hall's social services chief told the Globe an additional £3m has been allocated in the budget.

Professor Green said: "In order to guarantee care for people living in care homes now and those who will need them in the future, it is important that the extraordinarily low fees paid by Wirral Council for those unable to fund themselves are increased.

"Clearly the council is under huge pressure - and I accept that there are competing priorities - but a measure of a good society is how we care and support those in need.

"Good quality care cannot be delivered on a shoestring.

"Some providers are being paid only £2.46 per hour to deliver the high quality care that we need and want, this is not sustainable.”

Councillor Chris Jones, cabinet member for adult social services, said: "We understand and share many of the concerns raised by Care England.

"In setting the level of our fees for the current financial year, we recognised that our older and most vulnerable residents deserve high-quality, sustainable and safe care.

"As a result - even during a time of national austerity and financial difficulties for this council - we committed to investing an additional £3m to safeguard and help improve the quality of care available in Wirral.

"This investment, coupled with our ongoing work to better join-up our services with the NHS, means we can drive forward our work towards making sure that older people live well, and people with disabilities can live independently, both of which are key pledges within our Wirral Plan."

Professor Green said Wirral and other areas will need to prepare themselves for a detrimental impact on families, local economies and the NHS.

"Social care provides a significant amount of employment in Wirral and is crucial for those in receipt of its care and of course those in its employment," he said.

The number of beds in residential homes in England fell from 255,289 in 2010 to 235,799 in 2016 though the supply of nursing home beds rose from 205,375 to 224,843 over the same period, the Care Quality Commission revealed in its annual report.

SOURCE: Wirral Globe