BLOOD POISON DEATHS IN CARE HOMES UP 46%
MURDERED EastEnders star Gemma McCluskie’s dad has finally disowned the son who killed her – for failing to show any remorse.
Gemma, who played Kerry Skinner in the BBC1 soap, was beaten, decapitated and dumped in a canal by her brother Tony more than five years ago.
Their loyal father Anthony, 65, initially stood by his son because he did not want to “lose two children”.
He wrote letters to him and visited the lifer in jail.
But he became exasperated at Tony, 40, repeatedly insisting he had no memory of killing 29-year-old Gemma.
Now he reveals he has cut off all contact.
“I said right at the start I would stand by him and I really did mean that. I was losing Gemma and then Tony to a l ong time of prison. He’s my flesh and blood,” says Anthony.
But in a series of letters between the two over the years Tony has steadfastly refused to admit his guilt.
It got to a point where heartbroken Anthony snapped.
“Every letter was the same. He’s not showing remorse, not an ounce of remorse. He doesn’t mention her name,” the despairing dad reveals in a TV documentary.
“I’m trying to support and look after him, but he not showing no remorse.”
The end came in a showdown behind bars. “On that last visit I said, ‘I’ve had enough of you. I’m gone. I’m out of your life now’,” says Anthony.
“I still do think about him, but I haven’t had any contact with him DEATHS from septicaemia in care homes have surged by 46 per cent in two years.
Research released by the Lib Dems reveals 182 deaths were caused directly by the blood infection in 2016 – the highest level since comparable records began in 2001. Deaths where septicaemia was mentioned as an underlying cause hit 1,202, which is also a record high and up 15 per cent on two years ago.
Lib Dem work and pensions spokesman Stephen Lloyd said: “This shocking rise in deaths from septicaemia should act as a wakeup call to the Government. It’s a sign that our cash-strapped care homes are in crisis and many are struggling to provide the care older people rightly deserve.
“Ministers must act to improve standards in our social care system and reverse this worrying trend.”
Campaigners say vulnerable people are being put at risk as the funding crisis in the sector takes hold and warn the number of deaths will continue to rise.
Neil Duncan- Jordan, of the National Pensioners Convention, said: “This is probably indicative of the ongoing crisis in social care.
“Standards and regulations are not enforced as strongly as we would like. That’s for a number of reasons. First off, inspection is not as robust as it should be. Secondly, the private sector dominates the social care sector.
“That means, inevitably, corners are being cut.”