Two care home staff suspended

Council bosses today confirmed they received an anonymous letter from a member of staff at the Wilfred Geere care home which made claims about mistreatment of elderly residents by staff.

The two carers were suspended on full pay immediately after the letter sparked an investigation about 10 days ago.

Five members of staff are also on sick leave while the investigation continues, but council bosses said their absence was not linked to the accusations.

A council spokesman said: "It's standard practice to suspend staff until any investigation has been completed and it in no way suggests any assumption of guilt on our part.

"This came to our attention following a complaint by a member of staff and a full and thorough investigation is now well under way.

"At the end of the investigation the appropriate measures will be taken. We take this sort of allegation very seriously."

The spokesman added that senior care home staff had been drafted in to help with the internal investigation and that the matter had been reported to the Care Standards Commission.

It is expected that the investigation will be completed by the end of this week.

A shocked staff member at the home said: "I've been working here for six years and it's a lovely place.

"I had heard something but I find it very difficult to believe. All the staff are very professional."

The home, in Highfield Road, Farnworth, is one of nine council-owned homes in Bolton. It cares for 27 elderly people who suffer mental health problems.

Cllr Bob Ronson, the council's executive member for social services and health, said: "We're still investigating. There has been allegations of misbehaviour by some of the staff. It appears that somebody has done a whistle-blowing job."

Cllr Andy Morgan, vice chairman of the Bolton Association of Registered Care Homes, said: "It's a council facility and we would hope that it would be investigated as thoroughly as would a private home."