Care home charged family for month after man died

A Worcestershire care home that kept charging a family despite their loved one dying has been issued with a rare critical notice.

Wayside Nursing Home charged the man's family for 28 days after he died, instead of a maximum of three, the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman said.

Bosses at the home in New Road, Bromsgrove were then instructed by the ombudsman to issue a refund.

However, after being chased by the ombudsman for proof , external they had followed the recommendations, no evidence was provided.

The care home was also ordered to review its contract to ensure it was in line with Competition and Markets Authority guidance.

Wayside Care Ltd, which runs the home, chose not to comment when it was approached by the BBC.

A report by the ombudsman said: "The care provider agreed to the ombudsman’s recommendations.

"However, it has failed to provide evidence that it has in fact carried them out, despite the ombudsman chasing for the information."

An Adverse Findings Notice has also been issued by the ombudsman against the provider, putting on record the home's failure to comply.

It will now share its findings with regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Ombudsman Ms Amerdeep Somal, said: "It is simply not good enough for providers to agree to comply with our recommendations and then fail to produce evidence they have done so.

"I am particularly disappointed that this care provider agreed to refund this family but has then said it will seek to recoup this cost by enforcing late fees it had previously waived.

"I am concerned this provider’s contemptible attitude, both to my office and the family, does not demonstrate a mature and customer-focused approach to improving its services for residents."