Aberavon nursing home acts on claims

AN Aberavon nursing home has suspended a member of staff over allegations of mistreatment of a patient.

Cyril Price says staff at the Swn y Mor care home ignored the medical needs and physical care of his mother Margaret, who died while a resident at the home last November, aged 79.

Southern Cross Health- care, which runs the home, said a single member of staff had been suspended pending the completion of an investigation.

Mr Price, of Old Market Street, said: “She was suffering from small cell lung cancer.

“But we believe sometimes she was not being given the medication she needed because staff were afraid.

“She was taking morphine, and we believe staff were afraid of making a mistake, at putting them at risk from the compensation culture.”

Mr Price also alleges on occasion staff left toast for his mother to eat on his mother’s chest, and because of difficulties with swallowing she was unable to do so, and was discovered with her food running down her chin.

Mr Price said an investigation was under way.

Liz Williams, Area Manager for Southern Cross Healthcare, said: “Southern Cross Healthcare can confirm that one member of staff at Swn y Mor Care Home in Aberavon, Wales, has been suspended pending the completion of an investigation into an isolated care quality issue.

“Southern Cross is working together with Neath Port Talbot County Council, local health authorities and the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales, to investigate the situation.

“Police are not involved as no criminal activity is alleged to have taken place. No further details can be given while the investigation is under way.”

Claire Marchant, Neath Port Talbot Council’s head of community care, said: “We are aware of the protection of vulnerable adult (Pova) process which is currently being investigated thoroughly in accordance with our robust adult safeguarding arrangements.

“We cannot comment on the individual issues raised as the investigation is ongoing,” she continued.