"I feel our Dad was not cared for properly"

I am appalled and distressed by the lack of care I feel our Dad received at Spencefield Grange.

Within two days of his arrival all his clothes had disappeared, the rest of the time of his stay he was dressed in ill-fitting clothes, even women's trousers.

My observation was that, he, and other residents were left in the lounge all day with no means of mobility and no staff present except for feeding times.

I noticed that my Dad's mental and physical state deteriorated rapidly. I spoke to staff on many occasions and feel nothing was done.

In his first two days he had 2 falls, we were not informed and I believe the falls were not logged.

His hygiene suffered badly too, I do not think he brushed his teeth for about two weeks, as he was unable to stand at the basin.

One time he was in the downstairs lounge and wanted to go to the toilet, I spoke to a member of staff who appeared with a wheelchair, the seat of which was covered in dry vomit and food. I asked for it to be cleaned and it was as if I had asked for an impossible task.

I saw no encouragement to my Dad to walk and his walking frame was not available during his stay there.

We did not want Dad to stay there after 3-4 days but had to wait for arrangements to be made for him to go elsewhere.

I did not observe my Dad being given fresh water, and when staff came close to him when I was visiting I noticed he seemed nervous to have them close. I believe this was because he was not used to them being close to him unless they were physically handling him to move him.

His mobile phone was broken and put in a draw, we were not informed of that. Members of his family were trying to contact him and could not get through. I found the phone in a draw in his room which, it is my belief that my Dad had not been anywhere near.

His purse has also gone missing, when I spoke to a member of staff about the phone and purse after my Dad had left, I was told it would be looked into. I have not heard anything as yet. I would say about £300 worth of clothes, phone, money, possessions have disappeared. 

I remember on my first visit noticing how bad the building smelt. There was a strong odour of faeces and urine.

We were not once approached by a senior or management to give us any information about our Dad.

On one visit I used the stairs with a member of staff and a sliding safety door at the base of the stairs did not work for about 5 mins. What would happen if there was a fire? I fear for the residents who do not have family and friends visiting, they are vulnerable and fragile and I feel they are not being treated with respect.

It was very distressing to see our Dad wearing women's trousers and to see a man who is known for his smart appearance to look so dishevelled.

Spencefield Grange is described as a 'luxurious' care home. In my opinion it is not. I feel our Dad was not cared for properly.

The care home is charging over £900 weekly per resident, I wonder how this is being spent and also wonder about how much is spent on training for the staff, as in my view, some of them really did not seem to be able to answer simple requests or enquiries.

I could go on further but I would only be stating the obvious, the home is sub-standard and, from my point of view not safe for residents.