BBC News
Published
image captionThe inquest into deaths at the former Brithdir nursing home comes after a major police investigation
Staff were becoming ill trying to resolve constant problems at a care home where alleged neglect took place in the early-2000s, the former chief executive has told an inquest.
Paul Black said it was like being a rat in a wheel when he started working for Puretruce Healthcare Ltd in 2003. We d resolve 10 issues and there d be another 10, Mr Black told the hearing.
Mr Black said he was constantly undermined by Dr Prana Das, the man who owned the company.
BBC News
By Nelli Bird
image captionPaul Black showed reporters around the home as part of an investigation by BBC Wales
The former chief executive of a care home company at the centre of a neglect investigation knew money was being embezzled by the owner, an inquest has heard.
Paul Black ran Puretruce Healthcare Ltd, which owned 22 care homes, including the former Brithdir Nursing Home in New Tredegar.
On Friday Mr Black said Prana Das was embezzling money from the business.
Both Dr Das and Mr Black were charged as part of the £11m Operation Jasmine inquiry, with Dr Das also charged with offences relating to theft and false accounting.
Inquest into seven elderly patients who allegedly died of neglect has opened
Doctor Prana Das was accused of neglect and fraud following investigation
But the senior doctor died before he could be brought to justice
A spokesperson for Gwent Coroner s Office said the inquest - which is scheduled to last eight weeks will consider the nature of the care given to the deceased
The inquest will consider the nature of the care given to the deceased, the role played by the owners, managers and staff at the home and also the involvement of the local authority, the local health board and the (then) Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales (CSIW) in the management and running of the home. “Brithdir did not operate in isolation,” said Mr Williams. “Some residents were placed at Brithdir by the local authority and the local health board – at the time the Caerphilly Local Health Board.” Mr Williams also noted CSIW s responsibility for ensuring standards were adhered to in homes such as Brithdir.