Bupa finally seems to be getting to grips with the serious problems relating to the care of old people that have dogged Isard House care home in Bromley, Kent, for the last five years.

Since The last Eye appeared, more staff at the home have been suspended or sacked amid allegations of mistreatment and neglect. Following the arrival of a hit squad from Bupa, investigations are continuing and more disciplinary action is expected.
One sacked careworker is understood to have been one of those whom Bupa relied on five years ago to defend itself against claims from seven whistle-blowers of serious abuse and neglect in the home, which caters for up to 66 old people with high levels of dependency. It was alleged that residents had been left in their own mess, were handled roughly and inappropriately drugged.

More recently, reports from the new Commission for Social Care Inspection have failed to spot the issues currently at the centre of allegations at the home, but the Commission has found that the home has consistently failed to reach even minimum standards in care needs and training. It also expressed concern about the high number of falls and accidents requiring emergency hospital treatment.

Yesterday Bupa declined to give any details of the latest allegations but said it was continuing to investigate concerns raised by staff. To date five members of staff have been suspended, five disciplinary hearings are due to take place, one staff member has been dismissed and one has been given a written warning.
Eileen Chubb one of the original whistle-blowers who now runs a charity called Compassion in Care said, “ The trouble is that by denying and fighting our claims five years ago Bupa sent the wrong message to the core of staff, because of that it seems that nothing has changed”

She could be right, advertisements have already appeared in the local paper for an unspecified number of both senior and junior care workers, full and part time. Phoning up to inquire about a job as a senior care worker, an eye reporter was offered an immediate interview, she was not asked about any previous experience, qualifications or whether she had a criminal record-all mentioned as areas of concern in the last inspection report.

Private Eye - 3rd August 2004