Carers faked a log claiming they had continued to check an elderly woman in her home for a week after she had been admitted to hospital, it was alleged yesterday.

Wilhelmina Dart, 83, was rushed to hospital by her daughter after she found her on the floor having suffered a stroke.

Not realising Dart was in hospital, carers, who were paid to spend half an hour with her on weekdays, let themselves into her home and signed the log saying they had seen and checked her, it was claimed. Had they gone upstairs they would have realised she was not there.

Dart’s daughter, Patricia Handford, said yesterday that had she not visited her mother, Dart could have lain on the floor for more than a week. “It is disgraceful,” she said. “I wonder how often this has happened all around the country?”

Two carers have been suspended while the Devon agency that employs them, 1st React Healthcare, investigates. Devon county council and the Commission for Social Care Inspection have been informed.

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