Hard Hitting Report Into Westminster Health Care Home

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Thu 22nd Aug 2002

This morning an independent report was published into conditions at Lynde House, owned by Westminster Healthcare (the company which until recently was owned by Dr Chai Patel and Mr Tony Heywood), home to 72 elderly frail residents in Twickenham.

The report is very hard hitting and in particular criticises Westminster Health Care for:  Insufficient levels of staff  Inadequately trained staff  Poor practice, for example, in wound care and ear syringing  Lack of supervision at night  Inadequate or non-existent response to concerns and complaints

It also criticises the NHS inspection unit (Kingston and Richmond Health Authority) for failure to recognise the deficiencies and failure to implement a robust complaints system.

MP Vincent Cable, who originally suggested the enquiry after complaints by his constituents who were residents at the home and relatives, said: "Those residents and relatives who fought for this enquiry in the face of legal threats and obstruction have been fully vindicated. Ms McLaren's report is thorough, professional and unsparing in its tough criticisms. It is absolutely clear that this extremely expensive home was not providing care for its frail and vulnerable residents to an acceptable standard. It is time for the company to emerge from its defensive culture of denial, to put up its hand and acknowledge its failings".

The report makes it absolutely clear that responsibility for the failings of the home lie not with junior staff but with top management of the company"."

"Vincent Cable said he remained deeply unhappy at the way in which the enquiry had been "frustrated at every turn". The investigation was completed in January. A final text accepted by the NHS in May. The company was allowed to hold up publication for another three months. The NHS emerged from this whole episode very badly and is criticised strongly for its failure to recognise and respond to complaints. I shall be seeking a full debate on this matter when parliament resumes."