A WOMAN who worked at Blackwater Mill Care Home in different capacities has branded the conditions residents lived in as appalling.

Two weeks ago, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its damning findings following an inspection made at Blackwater Mill earlier this year.

Failings reported by the CQC has led to the home being put in special measures.

Mary Pryer worked at the home, near Newport, initially as a care assistant, then as a housekeeper, during 2019 and 2020.

Mary Pryer was an employee at Blackwater Mill between 2019 and 2020.Mary Pryer was an employee at Blackwater Mill between 2019 and 2020. (Image: Contributed)

"As a care assistant, kindness and compassion towards the residents was almost frowned upon, because this took time, as did talking to residents," said Mary.

"The carers who were admired, were the ones who accomplished their tasks quickly, at whatever the cost — or so it seemed.

"The conditions the residents had to endure were appalling.

Two weeks ago, the Care Quality Commission (CQC) published its damning findings following an inspection made at Blackwater Mill earlier this year. Click here to read.

Failings reported by the CQC has led to the home being put in special measures.

Since then, the County Press has been speaking to those affected, from relatives of residents, to former staff members, in a special investigation.

"Quite a few residents never left their beds and, for those without visitors, their only human contact would be when carers came in to do what was necessary, as quickly as possible.

"As a housekeeper, I saw one lady refuse her meal and, instead of encouraging her to eat, the carer just made sure her own actions were accounted for, by making an entry in the record book.

"On another occasion, I saw a senior carer forcibly pull a lady with dementia, by the arm, back to her room.

"A lovely gentleman had to survive mainly on snacks of biscuits, sweets etc, which his relatives brought in, because his dietary needs were not being catered for.

"These are just a few examples of things I experienced during my time there, and there are many more.

"The working conditions for staff were also not good.

"It was very warm in the home and, even in the summer, the water stations on the upper floors were empty.

"I and other housekeeping staff, went in early on the morning of Christmas Day and, due to our hard work, we finished earlier than expected and were able to return home to be with our families.

"Although we had completed all of our work, and as we had already submitted our time sheets, in January, we were all docked one hour's pay.

"It sounds like, very sadly, not much has changed since my time there."