Grandmother's belongings thrown out by care home staff
A grieving family has been left devastated after staff at a Wolverhampton care home threw out a grandmother's belongings without permission after she died.
Edna Hireland died last month at 88, leaving behind sentimental pictures and ornaments which should have been passed down to her family. But when they turned up to collect them, most had been thrown away.
Bosses at Bentley Court Care Home in Wednesfield today apologised to Mrs Hireland's family, and said an internal investigation had been held.
Mrs Hireland's daughter Bev Flannery, aged 53, said she had been left distraught by the experience.
"I've lost sleep over this. It's constantly in my mind. I can't believe they have done this when I have just lost my mother," said Mrs Flannery, of Taunton Avenue, Fordhouses.
"Some of these things I wanted to pass on to my son.
"The personal items, including some of the ornaments, were of great sentimental value to me.
"One photo was of my dad aged 19 or 20 in his RAF uniform – we haven't got a copy of that so that's gone for good."
She said dresses, cardigans, slippers and vintage face powder compacts were also missing.
Melanie Smith, spokeswoman for The Priory Care Group which runs Bentley Court, said:?"We have written to the family to express our deep regret that an error resulted in the loss of some of their mother's belongings.
"Their mother was a very important and special resident at Bentley Court, who was fondly regarded by all the staff. We wish to assure the family that there was no intention to cause distress to them and offer them our whole-hearted apology.
"The members of staff involved have been subject to an internal review and they have expressed their regret and unreservedly apologised. We are confident that the measures in place will prevent any recurrence of this incident."
