‘Abuse’ Probe At Bristol Care Home

Police are investigating allegations of abuse at an elderly people’s home in Bristol. Five former care workers at Kingsmead Lodge in Shirehampton are understood to have given statements on practices that they claim to have seen at the care home.

And two families independently contacted the Post to voice concerns about the treatment of their relatives at the home, which has places for 37 dementia patients and 44 in need of nursing care.

The residents of Kingsmead Lodge pay between £359 and £550 per week, depending on their needs.

They are placed there after an assessment by social services.

Avon and Somerset police spokesman Martin Dunscombe said: “I can confirm that we have had a number of allegations concerning Kingsmead Lodge reported to us which we are investigating.”

James Hedges, of the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI), said he could not comment on the allegations as police were still interviewing witnesses.

But he added that CSCI had the power to apply to magistrates to close a home, order another inspection or give advice to social services to remove residents from a home if they were thought to be at immediate risk.

He said: “In many cases where we get complaints we take the appropriate action. It is relatively rare for police to get involved.”

Bristol City Council has been kept informed of the investigation because its staff have been placing patients there.

A spokesman for Bristol City Council said: “The city council is working through its Safeguarding Adults team with the police and the CSCI to investigate these allegations.

“The city council is committed to a full and thorough review of the claims made and the investigation with our partner agencies is ongoing.

“We take the welfare of people placed by the city council into non-council accommodation very seriously and have robust strategies in place for protecting our residents.

“The welfare of all residents currently placed at this home by the council is at the centre of the ongoing investigations and, where appropriate, individual situations will be reviewed.

“At this stage in the proceedings we have not taken any decision to suspend new placements at this home but any proposed placements will be carefully scrutinised and the decision will be reviewed as the investigation progresses.”

Mimosa Healthcare, which runs Kingsmead Lodge, has declined to comment while a police and CSCI investigation is being carried out.