Starved and neglected

Shocking lapses in home health care revealed in damning CQC report on Torbay firm

ASHOCKING report has revealed how vulnerable elderly people in Torbay were left hungry, without medication and in soiled beds due to a shortage of home care staff.

Some were left without vital medicines for diabetes and heart conditions, and without adequate pain control. Almost 100 visits to people in their homes were missed in one week in September, which placed people “at risk of harm”.

Kingsteignton-based Mears Care Torbay and Devon provides care and support to people in Torbay and South Devon who want to live independently in their own homes.

It has been rated inadequate in crucial areas in a damning report from the Care Quality Commission and has been placed in special measures and must make immediate improvements or face being shut down.

Mears apologised for the poor service but blamed the problems it faced on the Government saying it was “symptomatic of a wider crisis in how care is delivered in this country”.

PENSIONERS were quids in at Trago Mills on Monday as the store launched its annual cash bonanza for its older shoppers.

The store’s traditional cash gift of £4 to each of its senior shoppers was handed out with no strings attached, pensioners just having to bring proof of their ID to qualify. The store had discounts for senior citizens and Christmas lunches on the menu.

Staff also celebrated the big day by donning a variety of fancy dress, from fairies to elves.

Pensioners collect their pounds at Trago Mills. Cathy Beard, Elliott Heywood and Sarah Kingwell joined in the festivities