A 67-bed Hatfield Peverel residential home is appealing against Essex Council Council's decision to cancel its registration.

Wickham Bishops Nursing Home Ltd lodged an appeal last Wednesday to the independent Registered Homes Tribunal following an unsuccessful attempt to reverse the council's decision over the Bishops Lodge home.

Company solicitor Peter Grose said its managing director Dr R Puri, a consultant for medicine for the elderly at Broomfield hospital, had not been given a "fair hearing" as he was unable to attend a council tribunal.

Mr Grose commented: "Dr Puri was seriously ill at the time and could not attend. It was very regrettable that the council made its decision in his absence and the company is strongly contesting the withdrawal of registration."

A County Council spokesman said: "If a home is owned by a company, any of the directors of the company can attend. The company can also put forward a representative such as a solicitor or provide a written statement."

The county council says it has advised residents, relatives and key supporting services of the decision and will continue to monitor the residential home.

The proprietors of Bishops Lodge, which consists of two units, Wickham and Hatfield, were given 28 days to appeal and can lawfully operate up to the time and decision of the Registered Homes Tribunal.

The council said that in October an enforcement notice was served because the home failed to employ suitably qualified staff and competent staff in number, adequate to the well-being of the residents, and failed to maintain parts in a clean condition.

The report, which is posted on the County Council's internet site, concludes:''It is evident from this inspection that the standards have deteriorated since the last inspection and are a cause for concern. Issues raised at previous inspections have yet to be addressed and regarding care practices remain on-going."

Inspectors said praise did come from several residents about staff, saying they worked hard considering they often seemed short staffed.

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