‘Poor’ Panorama Care Home To Shut

A Calderdale care home that blasted rap music into the bedrooms of its elderly residents is to close. Old folk at The Haven Nursing Home, Rastrick – whose poor standards were highlighted in the Courier – have been given seven days to find somewhere else. They are being assisted by Calderdale Council.

In May the Commission for Social Care Inspection told the owners of The Haven it had to shut because of poor standards. But it won a stay of execution by mounting an appeal.

That prompted Calderdale Council to stop sending old people there. Owners Helen and Mumtaz Malik have now withdrawn their appeal.

Their decision is believed to follow further adverse publicity on Monday when, along with two other homes in Calderdale, it featured in BBC’s Panorama.

Mr and Mrs Malik, who have refused to talk publicly, were due to have their appeal heard by the Care Standards Tribunal next Wednesday but it has now been cancelled.

Calderdale Council said: “We have written to the next of kin to give them advice about finding alternative accommodation.”
When inspectors visited The Haven in May, they heard rap music blasting into residents’ rooms. Meals were often cold, rooms were shabby and they decided the premises were not managed properly.

“There is no leadership,” said the commission.

The Haven has been home to up to 23 people who suffer from dementia. They pay £475 a week for their care.