A negligent doctor in charge of a run-down old peo
A negligent doctor in charge of a run-down old peoples home let patients drink ‘vinegar tasting water’ and sleep in filthy rooms, the GMC heard today.
(Thurs)
Health visitors inspected Dr Azhar Mir’s care centre in Kent and found faulty fire escapes, lack of staff and freezing cold bathrooms.
Dr Mir repeatedly promised to smarten up the 32-patient home but after three-and-a-half years health officials eventually closed the premises and rescued the patients.
The doctor ran the Danefield Nursing Home, Church Lane in Bearstead, Maidstone, with his wife between February 28, 1995 and its closure on 12 June 1998.
Lydia Barnfather, for the GMC, said the patients, who were in their 80s and 90s, all had mobility problems and various degrees of mental impairment.
‘They were extremely vulnerable,’ she said.
Miss Barnfather told the committee how the centre regularly failed routine health, fire and safety inspections.
She said complaints against the home included odours from rooms, torn linos in bathrooms, shabby armchairs, and stained beds.
During one inspection it emerged patients had been drinking ‘vinegar-tasting water,’ said Miss Barnfather.
‘Concerns were also raised about bacteria in the drinking water because it was mixed with washing water.
‘A heater was aiming hot air directly onto an occupant.
‘There were profound concerns regarding the health, safety and wellbeing of the patients.
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Over the years Dr Mir made halfhearted attempts to improve the situation but this was of a ‘peacemeal and unacceptable nature.
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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.
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Miss Barnfather added: ‘General maintenance work was noisy, dirty and patients had to leave their rooms and so were unable to lie down if they needed to.
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The home continued to deteriorate and it was eventually closed overnight on 12 June, 1998.
‘All the patients were removed for their own safety,’ said Miss 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
