THE wife of an Isle of Wight pensioner was just one of those to share their shocking accounts of the substandard care received at Blackwater Mill Residential Home, with the Isle of Wight County Press. 

Last week, 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.

One man was taken in after a spell at St Mary's Hospital, for rehabilitation, to enable him to return home.

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.

His wife highlighted a number of concerns, including a poor standard of cleanliness in the bathrooms.

It was not just residents who fell foul of Blackwater Mill's alleged care failings, visitors suffered too.

She was not the only person to tell the County Press she arrived to pay a visit and could not get into the home.

Eventually she gave up as she couldn't get anyone to answer the door.

She said: "When I did go to visit, there was always a lot of confusion around the home, with residents shouting and wandering — often in a state of undress.

"After my husband's stay at Blackwater Mill, he will never go there again. He was not safe there."

Others commented on the County Press Facebook page.

Laura Julian said: "The report is just the tip of the iceberg of the things that go on there.. my grandad kept saying before he died, its a prison in there not a care home."

Megan Carla said: "What’s been mentioned in the County Press article is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to what actually happens in there. I used to work there and I quit due to what I was witnessing every day.

"I have made several reports to CQC, the place is awful, I would NEVER put a loved one in there. They need to be shut down, it’s poorly run and the residents aren’t safe."

Nicky Fettes said: "I worked there for two weeks and couldn't stay any longer, shocking place. Our vulnerable and elderly should be treated with the dignity and respect they deserve which wasn't the case here.

"Not enough staff, the place was dirty, residents neglected, not even the basics to wash them with amongst other things. When I expressed how I felt I was told I had joined at a difficult time. It is no excuse for poor care and what I witnessed."

Aden Chandler said: "How disgusting. I remember my grandad couldn't have solids but they tried giving him a sandwich! Wouldn't put anyone in that home."