Mum with dementia 'neglected' by Swindon care home

Pat Cheeseley, who had dementia, walked into Rose Cottage Care Home in a relatively healthy condition but was transferred to another home 7.9kg lighter, just months later. 

Her daughter Cheryl, says that her deterioration in that time will "haunt" the family "for the rest of their lives".

After complaining about Pat's care at the home, it was visited by the CQC and received a 'requires improvement' rating. 

Further investigations from Swindon Borough Council's Adult Safeguarding team uncovered 'organisational abuse', 'acts of omission', dehydration and malnutrition. 

Cheryl said: "In our opinion, the trauma and neglect contributed to her untimely death. It feels like an open wound that can never be healed. Seeing our dear Mum in this state broke us, ripped us apart and was truly heart-wrenching."

Pat, 72, enjoyed knitting, dressmaking, cooking, and gardening, but in September 2020, her dementia left her unable to be cared for at home, so she was moved into Rose Cottage Nursing Home on High Street, Haydon Wick. 

Pat on the day she moved in at Rose Cottage (Image: Submitted)

During her stay concerns were raised by the home about her diet and eating, her lack of sleep, and her worsening behaviour which was described as increasingly aggressive and agitated. 

But the council's adult safeguarding enquiry manager Kevin Teague pointed to the home's care records as showing signs of 'organisational abuse' because of what he called an 'inappropriate use of language when delivering care to a person living with dementia'.

He also indicated several 'acts of omission' relating to Pat not being given any necessary fluids for significant periods of time, as well as many incidents and actions that were not properly recorded or followed up on. 

As time went on, Pat is said to have grown increasingly confused and aggressive, appeared to receive several injuries and bruises and complained of pain, and tried to leave the home on multiple occasions, succeeding once in what internal records called 'an escape'.

Eventually, the Dementia Laterlife Liason Team (DLLT) concluded that her placement there was 'no longer sustainable' after just six months because the 'risks of her remaining at Rose Cottage far outweighed the risk of moving her'.

Pat when she moved out of Rose Cottage (Image: Submitted)

As part of the transfer to a new home, Wemyss Lodge Residential Nursing Home, registered manager Teresa Fisher carried out an assessment of Pat in May to determine if she could cater to her needs. 

During this assessment, multiple 'deep tissue injuries' were noted, as well as the fact Pat wasn't wearing an incontinence pad and was 'covered in dried faeces'.

A week later, Pat is transferred to Wemyss Lodge, with her family horrified at her physical deterioration, which is what sparked the complaints to the CQC and adult safeguarding team and their findings.

Pat died weeks later in August 2021. 

Cheryl said: "Thankfully she lived 13 happy weeks singing, dancing and enjoying her food in Wemyss Lodge. To see how she walked in to Rose Cottage in September and then to see how, in May, she was left being supported by two members of staff will haunt us for the rest of our lives.

"Little did we know what was going on behind closed doors. We were left numb, broken and completely crushed to the core when we saw her. They took no responsibility or ownership for their severe failings. 

"We have to live with the fact we thought she was being cared for. We were so wrong. 

"Although we had a case to take through the courts we decided as a family against it due to the huge cost. Instead, we feel our experience should be made public as mum would have wanted this."

Rose Cottage was contacted for comment.