Watchdog probe into nursing home

The family of a Dundee woman who died from Covid-19 say her chances of survival were “severely depleted” by the actions of her care home.

Yvonne Cullen, 75, died on May 1 after falling ill while she was a resident at South Grange Nursing Home in Monifieth. She had been taken to Ninewells Hospital a week after showing symptoms but her family say she was not given appropriate treatment while in the home.

Her daughter Liz has reported the home to the Care Inspectorate, which is investigating the allegations.

Liz, who is a nurse at a hospital in Essex, said: “I’m not saying my mum would have survived anyway, however her chances were severely depleted by the lack of proactive interventions by South Grange. We will not know that until the outcome of the investigation.

“We can only hope, if upheld, (home owners) Barchester will look at how they may have failed my mum and hopefully this will not happen to anyone else in their care. We trusted them and we feel they betrayed the trust we placed in them. We are all obviously very sad, and I feel angry. She was allowed to have members of the family with her when she passed away, and for that we are grateful.”

Yvonne’s blood-oxygen saturation levels dropped to just 83% while she was at the home. Liz said her condition should never have been allowed to reach such a level. The pensioner, who had diabetes, was put on oxygen but died just over a week later.

A spokesperson for Barchester said: “The team at South Grange Care Home offer their deepest condolences to the family and friends who have lost a loved one in this awful pandemic. Every one of these deaths is a tragedy for all of us, and we send our heartfelt condolences to our residents, their families and our staff that have suffered.

“The home is in regular contact with Health Protection Scotland and the local authority. The safety and wellbeing of our residents and our staff is our utmost priority and we are closely following the official advice.

“We respect the privacy of our residents and staff in all matters and can therefore make no further comment at this stage.”

We trusted them and we feel they betrayed the trust we placed in them. FAMILY OF YVONNE CULLEN

Picture: Steve Brown. Nicky Connor, director of Fife Health and Social Care Partnership.