Carole Reece Williams, who worked for the then Gwent Health Authority as a nurse assessor, told the inquest of a meeting she and two inspectors from Care Inspectorate Wales, John Powell and Alison Price, had at Brithdir with Dr Das in June 2003. She said the meeting had been arranged at the request of Dr Das to discuss the registration of the home and its manager, Peter Smith. “Throughout the meeting Mr Powell made several attempts to explain the registration process of the home and the manager,” Mrs Reece Williams said in a written statement. “Despite his continuing efforts to explain and discuss with Dr Das, it was met by Dr Das talking over him.
Owner of scandal-hit nursing home rude and offensive to inspectors
Dr Prana Das ran the Brithdir nursing home where seven residents died after suffering poor care
Dr Prana Das owned the Brithdir nursing home (Image: Media Wales)
The owner of a scandal-hit nursing home where seven residents died after suffering poor care was rude and confrontational with watchdog inspectors, an inquest has heard.
Dr Prana Das was “very rude and offensive” and the social care inspectors ended the meeting because he was becoming even more “angry, unreasonable, and confrontational”.
An inquest in Newport is hearing evidence on the deaths of seven elderly residents at the Brithdir nursing home between 2003 and 2005. Some of them had suffered dehydration, malnourishment, and pressure sores.
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.