Family 'devastated' by mum's return to care home

The family of an 88-year-old have told the BBC they are "very worried" about her return to a care home rated as inadequate by the healthcare watchdog.

Miriam Souter, from Cowes, on the Isle of Wight, was taken to hospital at the start of October, and was treated for malnutrition, dehydration and pneumonia.

Having made a full recovery, her family say they are "devastated" that she has been discharged back to Blackwater Mill - the home they believe was responsible for her decline.

In a statement, the care home's owner Buckland Care said it was reviewing the case.

The home was placed in special measures earlier this month, after the Care Quality Commission found it was "poorly managed" with residents "at risk of harm".

Ms Souter's daughter Phazar told the BBC the report did not surprise her, having observed a "lack of care in the home" when visiting her mother.

"A lot of the time she was just left on her own in a room - they [the staff] never really had any contact at all," she said.

She said prior to being admitted to hospital earlier this month, Ms Souter had appeared "emaciated".

Having fully recovered in hospital, she was returned back to Blackwater Mill at the request of Isle of Wight Council.

"We just can't understand why they would deem her fit to go back to this care home," her daughter said.

"She was scared and worried what was going to happen to her and I've been very worried too about her being in there, her general health, and why she is even in that home.

"I want to see her out of that care home and that care home closed down."

In a statement, Buckland Care said: "We acknowledge the concerns raised by the Souter family regarding Miriam’s care, and we are currently reviewing the details to ensure we provide a full and accurate response.

"We remain committed to transparency and to addressing all areas highlighted by the recent CQC report, with ongoing efforts to improve our care practices for the wellbeing and comfort of all residents."

Isle of Wight Council, the body responsible for admitting Ms Souter to Blackwater Mill, said it had been working with the home to ensure the needs of the people who lived there "continue to be met and that they remain safe and well cared for".

It added that the care home, near Newport, had requested a fresh CQC inspection so that "the improvements that have been made can be seen".

You can follow BBC Hampshire & Isle of Wight on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.