Distressing footage of vulnerable grandfather’s ‘care’ released by his family

Scroll down for Video

Warning: distressing content – Rochdale Online has chosen to release the audio footage only to preserve Mr Taylor’s dignity

Distressing footage of a vulnerable grandfather’s experience in a Littleborough care home has been released by his family.

In the footage, Anthony Graham Taylor repeatedly calls for help – only to be called an ‘idiot’ by his carer as well as being told to ‘shut up’.

The horrifying footage was caught on a hidden camera at Mona Cliffe care home in January 2019 after family became concerned about his treatment.

A few days later, Mr Taylor was removed from the care home on Blackstone Edge Old Road.

His granddaughter, Tania Taylor, said: “The footage showed a huge pressure sore covering half of his back. You can hear him calling out in pain and them telling him to shut up, saying he is an idiot.

“They said he’d done it to himself, making fun of him and being derogative.”

 

 

Mr Taylor, known as Graham to his friends and family, was diagnosed with vascular dementia in 2015. He was taken into the care home on 14 January after several strokes and a fall. Following its last inspection in 2017 by the Care Quality Commission, Mona Cliffe was rated ‘good’ in all areas.

However, within days, Mr Taylor’s family became concerned about his treatment, beginning with a huge red sore covering half of his back.

Staff couldn’t account for the sore, which they said had been caused by Mr Taylor pulling himself along the floor, and Mr Taylor was taken to Royal Oldham Hospital.

 

 

There, Tania says, her grandfather was found to be dehydrated with a urine infection and a doctor said the injury was a pressure sore. Nurses at the hospital reported the case to social services and the police were called. 

“We feel the care home purposely minimised what happened. We are absolutely devastated,” Tania added.

Whilst the resulting police investigation did not lead to any further action, the CQC has said it is “reviewing evidence” to see if “any regulatory action” is needed.

A CQC spokesperson said: “CQC would like to again offer its sincere condolences to the family and friends of Mr Taylor. Inspectors are currently reviewing evidence in relation to the incident, alongside its partner agencies, to ascertain whether any regulatory action is required.

“Mona Cliffe Care Home was inspected in October 2017 and rated Good overall. Should any action take place CQC will report on it when appropriate.”

Mr Taylor, who was moved to a different care home at the start of February, sadly died a few weeks later on 22 February after contracting sepsis.

Andrea Fallon, Rochdale council’s interim director of adult services, said: “As soon as the police brought this incident to our attention, we undertook a multi-agency safeguarding enquiry, which was held alongside the police investigation.

“We have a robust policy for managing allegations in place and as a responsible council we always work with our partners and the Care Quality Commission to ensure these safeguarding procedures are rigorously enforced. The safety, wellbeing and care needs of our residents will always be our number one priority. 

“If anyone suspects an adult is experiencing harm, neglect or abuse they should phone adult care services on 0300 303 8886.”

Dr Ravi Sharma, owner of Mona Cliffe care home, said in a statement: “There has been a thorough and detailed investigation by the police and safeguarding team at Rochdale Council of the claims made and we are pleased that this found that the allegations were unsubstantiated.  

“The police noted that there was no criminality and the treatment that Mr Taylor received was firm but fair.  However, we take very seriously the tone and language used by our carer.

“As part of our own investigation into her conduct given further advice was given that all our residents must always be spoken to kindly, with respect and in an appropriate manner, however challenging the care situation may appear. 

“Whilst Mr Taylor was only with us for a very short time before his family moved him to alternative facilities prior to his death, our sympathy and condolences go to his family.”

Since her grandfather’s death, Tania has launched a campaign to improve standards of care for the elderly to avoid similar heartaches for other families.

Currently, over 140,000 have signed the petition calling for the prosecution threshold in cases like this to be lowered.

To sign the petition, please visit:

• www.change.org/p/members-of-parliament-lower-the-police-prosecution-threshold-for-carers-who-abuse-vulnerable-people