Woman suffered serious neglect at Teesside care home

An inquest determined Mrs Allenby died of natural causes

An elderly woman suffered serious neglect at a Teesside care home because of widespread failings by health and social services staff, a review says.

Grace Allenby, 88, from Thornaby, died two days after being transferred from Grove Lodge Care Home in Middlesbrough to another nursing home in March 2008.

A subsequent inquest determined Mrs Allenby died of natural causes.

But a serious case review has found Mrs Allenby was failed by a number of agencies who should have done more.

Middlesbrough Council, which undertook the review but was not directly involved in Mrs Allenby's care, admitted she suffered "significant harm".

'Deep regret'

Mrs Allenby's home was sold in 2006 so she could afford the fees at the Grove.

She was moved to a council-funded nursing home in March 2008 after a medical assessment and pressure from her family, who were concerned at the level of care she was receiving.

Staff at the new home were so concerned about her physical state that they took photographs of her.

Mrs Allenby's family described her as a "loving mam"

Jan Douglas, executive director of social care for Middlesbrough Council, said: "It is a matter of deep regret that there were shortfalls by all commissioners and providers of health and social care services in the care of Mrs Allenby.

"The serious case review acknowledges that a considerable amount of work has already been undertaken by all parties to rectify the omissions identified."

Julia Rostron, executive member for social care for Middlesbrough Council, added: "We would like to offer our sincerest apologies to the family of Mrs Allenby.

"Mrs Allenby did not receive the appropriate level of care from a number of agencies.

"This was totally unacceptable and the serious case review rightly identifies failings in processes and procedures across health and social care services."

Mrs Allenby's daughter Pauline described her mother as a "beautiful soul" who had been "shamefully let down".

Executive Care Group, which runs the Grove, said the company had worked closely with review team and introduced new management and better support to staff.