Son's anger as father is turned away from Crowhurst nursing home

Staff at Green Hill told bewildered ambulance staff to return Jack Hodd to the Eastbourne District General Hospital, claiming an assessment had not been carried out.

Mr Hodd was taken to the DGH on Monday, February 15, and discharged back to the home on the Friday.

His son Trevor travelled with his father back to the home in Station Road, Crowhurst – only to be turned away.

He said: “A young lady came out and said they were not going to take him.

“He’s got dementia and emphysema and he needs looking after.”

Jack was returned to the DGH, where he spent a further four days before he was released back into the care of Green Hill.

Trevor, from Hooe, said: “Someone, somewhere, has made a major mess up.” He added: “It was distressing for him and for me.

“He’s vulnerable and I cannot do anymore for him.

“He’s getting on in years and in later years he does not deserve to be treated like that.”

Green Hill was taken over by Rooks Care in 2008.

A Quality Care Commission inspection led to the home being branded ‘inadequate’ and placed in Special Measures in July, 2015.

Administrators Duff & Phelps Ltd were appointed to the home on February 19 – the day Jack was first discharged from the DGH.

Duff & Phelps has been approached for comment.

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “The county council suspended new placements at Green Hill in January, 2015, due to concerns about the quality of care provided. Since then we have been supporting the owners, and now the administrators, in improving the standards within the home.

“During this time, the health and welfare of the remaining residents has been our priority and we have regularly monitored the services provided to them.

“Over the next few months, it is hoped that the managers appointed by the administrators will be able to bring the home up to a standard that is both acceptable to the Care Quality Commission and the county council.

“This would mean that the home could be sold as a going concern and the residents will not have to be transferred to other services. We will continue to closely monitor developments alongside the residents needs and wishes.

“We are looking into the circumstances around this resident’s discharge from hospital and the events that followed.”

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