A ‘dishonest’ doctor had his ‘shabby’ care home cl
A ‘dishonest’ doctor had his ‘shabby’ care home closed down after failing to keep his promises to improve patients’ living conditions, the GMC heard today (Mon).
Kent-based Dr Azhar Mir neglected to clean up his 32-bed centre, lied about building work and even rented out the spa bath to non-residents.
Visitors to the run-down old peoples’ home were treated to the smell of urine, faulty fire escapes and freezing cold bathrooms.
Elderly residents, all physically and mentally impaired, had to drink vinegar tasting water and sleep in stained beds in filthy rooms.
The committee heard the doctor and his wife were given one last chance to stay open but the patients, some in their 90s, were rescued after they failed to smarten up the home.
Kent Registration general manager Frank Hughes said
the doctor knew Danefield Nursing Home was in a ‘poor state of repair’ when he bought the Maidstone property in 1995.
During the next three-and-a-half years the home in Church Lane, Bearstead, was a number of visits from health officials and safety experts.
Each inspection raised growing concern among officials and the doctor was repeatedly ordered to carry out repairs.
Mr Hughes said staff would flit between the home and a nearby block of flats to help neighbouring residents.
He said: ‘Staff were providing services to people in flats next door, by going over to support them.
‘This left the home under-staffed.
‘He was also offering the services of the home’s spa bath to outsiders.
‘
Over the years Dr Mir made halfhearted attempts to improve the situation but they were said to be of a ‘peacemeal and unacceptable nature.
‘
The doctor ran the home with his wife between February 28, 1995 and its closure on 12 June 1998.
Before the home was finally closed the doctor made one last attempt at cleaning it up.
But when inspectors visited again they found the place in ‘total disarray.
‘
Mr Hughes added that the doctor was unfit to run the home.
He said: ‘In order to be a fit person, the basic criteria is that they are honest.
‘
Referring to Mir’s purported plan to improve the home, Mr Hughes added: ‘Having had the report and found it was untrue, questions about his suitability were raised.
‘We wanted to keep it open and running and what we needed was his cooperation and input.
‘
But the home continued to deteriorate until it was eventually closed overnight on 12 June, 1998.
‘All the patients were removed for their own safety,’ said counsel for the GMC, Miss Lydia Barnfather.
Dr Mir, of (178) Walderslade Road, Chatham, denies serious professional misconduct.
He qualified as a doctor in the Punjab in 1962.
The hearing continues.
ends
