Shropshire care home boss and two nurses sacked

The manager and two nurses at a £620-a-week Shropshire residential nursing home have been sacked amid claims residents were neglected.

The staff worked at the 60-bed Edgeley House Care Home in Whitchurch.

The home was run by the failed care firm Southern Cross and is now in the hands of Bondcare, which has 72 homes around the country.

Police said the investigation uncovered ‘serious failings’ over three unconnected incidents at the home involving neglect.

The staff concerned have all received police cautions and will not be allowed to work again in care homes. They are not being named by the police.

A new management team is now in place at Edgeley House and it says there are no concerns over the care of any of the 40 current residents.

A spokeswoman for Bondcare said today: “We inherited a difficult situation from previous owners Southern Cross.

“An experienced new home manager has been appointed and a new regional manager is in place. We are working closely with all the relevant parties to continue improving the standards of care.

“We are confident that the home offers a safe and caring environment.” The incidents were reported last year and the inquiry was already under way when Bondcare took control of the home, in Edgeley Road, in October.

The investigation was prompted by complaints of neglect from worried relatives. The police investigation also involved Shropshire Council, the Care Quality Commission and the Community Care Trust.

A spokesman for the Protection of Vulnerable Adults group said: “We can assure people that there are no concerns regarding the safety of any current residents of this home and the provider is working hard with all agencies to improve standards of care now and in the future.”