A GRIEVING daughter has spoken out against the poor standard of care her father received at a Canvey care home.

Dennis Kerr, of Crescent Road Canvey, who died tragically in November 2011 aged 76, was admitted to Valentine Lodge care home, in Edith Road, Canvey eight years ago after poor health meant he was unable to care for himself.

During his stay, his daughter Daryl Seago, 49, of Lappmark Road, Canvey said he was not cleaned properly and that dirty urine bottles would be left on tables while he was eating lunch.

Ms Seago also claims that despite being virtually blind, her father was often left struggling to find his food and feed himself.

She said: “I was constantly complaining to the managers because things were not right but nothing was done. I would have to wash his urinal bottle because it was disgusting and left on his table.
 

“He was never washed properly and never seemed clean and I was always doing a lot for him that I shouldn’t have had to. It was really upsetting but you didn’t want to moan too much while he was in there because you’re always worried he will suffer because of it.”

Admissions to the care home have been suspended and the owners served with enforcement action after inspectors from the Care Quality Commission raised concerns over the cleanliness, the safety of the gas and electrics, the management of medicine and the welfare of residents.

A former carer has also spoken out against the poor facilities at the home which made it difficult for carers to provide a good service.

The 35-year-old woman, who would not be named but has worked in the care sector for 17 years, said: “When I first started it was an excellent place to work, the care was great, but when one of the managers left it just went steadily downhill.

“Pads were locked away and only senior staff could access them and this did affect cleanliness. The showers and baths wouldn’t work properly so we had to carry hot water up and down the stairs from the kitchen.

“It was heartbreaking not being able to do our best I enjoy my job and not having the equipment to do it well was horrible.”

Lorraine Reynolds, manager of the care home, said: “It is really really sad to hear Mr Kerr did not receive tip top care while he was here but unfortunately he was here before my time. There were a lot issues here and now the management team have all gone.

“The building was in desperate need of refurbishment and that work is now going ahead. We have had a new sluice put in and we are, if you like, being bought into the 21st century.

“We are also receiving advice from the Health Protection Agency. The inspection was back in February and since then we have made a lot of changes and the Valentine Lodge of old is gone.”

The enforcement action taken against the care home by the Care Quality Commission would have meant the home could be fined, shut or face legal proceedings if it did not improve.

The home had to improve infection control by April 1 and has since been re-inspected and deemed to be compliant with the quality commission’s expectations.

It also had to improve the building conditions by May 1 which should be met with the new building work.