Police probe at home over residents' care

Detectives are probing allegations that elderly residents at a West Midland retirement home were mistreated, it was revealed today.

Police were called in after concerns were raised in an inspection at Westfield Lodge, Stourbridge, by the Care Quality Commission.

The owner of Westfield Lodge, on July 6, gave 28 days' notice to the authorities that he was voluntarily closing the home and the 18 residents have now all moved to other care homes in advance of the closure of Westfield Lodge today.

West Midlands Police spokesman Lee Page said today: "Detectives from the Public Protection Unit in Halesowen are looking at a number of allegations relating to Westfield Lodge Care Home on Norton Road in Stourbridge to establish whether any offences have been committed.

"This forms part of a joint investigation by police and the local authority after concerns were raised about mistreatment of residents at the home following an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.

"Inquiries are currently ongoing and we cannot comment further at this stage."

Dudley Councillor Lesley Faulkner, cabinet member for adult and community services, said: "We have worked closely with the Care Quality Commission and we are assisting police with their inquiries but we are unable to comment in relation to ongoing police investigations."

The Express & Star revealed last week that the home had closed.

Angela Weston, whose 84-year-old mother, retired draper Gladys Dunne, was moved by Sandwell Social Services to another home in Woodsetton, Dudley, last week, said:

"I am shocked and surprised that there is a police investigation at Westfield Lodge. She lived there for eight years and the staff were always very loving and brought out the best in my mother."

Nobody was available for comment at Westfield Lodge which has a "for sale" sign outside - advertised as a retirement home for the elderly with a £750,000 price.