Merseyside nursing home staff arrested over “wilful neglect” claims

A PROBE has been launched into allegations dementia sufferers were mistreated at a Wirral care home.

Four members of staff at Windy Knowe Nursing Home in Waterford Road, Oxton, which provides specialist care for elderly people with Alzheimer’s disease, were arrested last week on suspicion of “wilful neglect”.

They were quizzed by officers from Merseyside Police’s Vulnerable Adult Team, based at Bebington Police Station, and later released on bail.

Relatives were told about the police investigation in letters from Merseyside Police and Wirral Council’s Adult Social Services department.

One man, whose 64-year-old uncle is a resident at the home, said: “We didn’t know anything about it until the letters were sent to my mother, who is my uncle’s next of kin.

“It came as a real shock.”

The police letter, signed by Detective Inspector Mark Tivendale, said: “Merseyside Police are currently investigating a number of staff that were employed by the home.

“The owners of Windy Knowe are working with Merseyside Police during this investigation and are involved in protecting the residents and ensuring all current procedures and care are at acceptable standards.”

Windy Knowe is owned by Springcare Ltd, which runs 13 nursing and residential homes across Wirral, Cheshire and Shropshire.

A spokesman for Merseyside Police confirmed the four arrested members of staff had been bailed until April 21, pending further enquiries.