Alexandra Care Home manager loses case

A STOURBRIDGE woman who resigned as manager of a home for the old and infirm following concern about care plans for the residents, has lost a compensation claim for constructive unfair dismissal.

Susan Bastable of Norton, was manager of the Alexandra Care Home at Pensnett, Birmingham Employment Tribunal was told.

Gareth Price, representing the home owners – Mr Jayant Patel and his wife, said they became concerned after the commission for social care inspected the premises and said it was adequate – a mark down on the previous inspection.

Concern was drawn to Mr Patel’s attention that the care plan for each resident was not up to the standard.

Care plans list details about the resident, monitoring times and treatment.

Mr Price said that when Mr Patel was told about the care plans he brought in another manager while Mrs Bastable was on holiday, and offered to relocate her to another of his care homes on her return to work.

Miss Bastable resigned – prompting her claim for constructive unfair dismissal.

Miss Bastable compained the home had been short of staff at one stage and that she had to devote more times to her nursing duties instead of to managerial work.

Tribunal chairman David Kearsley said that although the commision said the home was adequate there was concern about that this was a mark down on a previous appraisal.

Mr Kearsley said: “Mr Patel, who bought the home with his wife in 2007, was also concerned about the care plans for residents.

“Miss Bastable eventually resigned after complaining she had lost Mr Patel’s confidence.”

Mr Kearsley described Miss Bastable as dilligent and hard working but rejected her claim for constructive unfair dismissal.

The home had 50 residents at its peak.

Miss Bastable said she now had another job.