An under-fire care home has made a raft of changes after secret filming exposed a catalogue of poor care and mistreatment.

The Old Deanery Care Home in Bocking has been under the spotlight ever since a BBC Panorama programme, Behind Closed Doors: Elderly Care Exposed, was televised at the end of last month.

The programme contained shocking footage captured by an undercover reporter and sparked seven dismissals at the 93-bed home.

The case of another staff member is also being “urgently reviewed”, while police have since arrested and bailed two woman on suspicion of assault.

Anglia Retirement Homes, which runs the home, immediately apologised for the failings and said it was “shocked and saddened”.

It has now also revealed a raft of changes that have been made in the aftermath of the programme.

They include:

• A staff increase, particularly at the busiest times of the day and night

• An increase in hours dedicated to direct support and supervision of care staff and care practices

• Pagers have been given to staff to improve response to residents’ call bells

• A third party whistleblowing line has been set up, allowing people to report any issues anonymously

• Improved recruitment processes to ensure all new appointments are entirely suited to care work

• Increased management presence and visibility

Two meetings with residents and relatives were held the day after the programme, with bosses agreeing to set up a monthly relative forum to review the action being taken and progress being made.

See the Braintree Times for the full story