Daughter demands answers over elderly mother's death in Taunton

Margaret Green, 68, passed away on the morning of Tuesday July 14, after being admitted to Musgrove Hospital following a deterioration of chronic bad health.

Now, her daughter Corrin Garland is seeking an explanation, raising concerns over the quality of care that her mum received in her Taunton home.

Corrin claims that carers failed to shower her mum or change her bedding, and left her lying in her own urine for a week.

She has decided to speak out because she said she doesn't want anyone to have to go through what her mum did.

"I am absolutely devastated," said Corrin.

"My mum was in a condition of bad health and only had half a heart.

"She was also bed ridden with no immune system, meaning she had to have constant chemotherapy.

"She was on water tablets and was supposed to have carers from Way Ahead Care coming in to her to home to help her twice a day.

"However I found her on Friday morning (July 10) in a horrific state with burns on her back and the backs of her legs where she had been lying in her own urine for a week.

"She couldn't get up and go to the toilet by herself and I am also disabled so struggle to help her.

"She was taken to hospital for treatment where we were told it may well be end of life care.

"She passed away on Tuesday morning."

Corrin claims that she got in touch with the care service 8 weeks ago regarding the care for her mum's health and they responded saying they would sort something within a few weeks.

"I noticed my mum was growing weaker and weaker," said Corrin.

"The carers refused to give her a shower because she needed she heating on for her immune system and they said it was too hot.

"Way Ahead told me she refuses help and she does this because she feels rushed.

"They don't change her bedding or shower her so even if she did let them, she would have to still lie on that soiled sofa.

"I know my mum could be difficult sometimes because of the pain she is in, but it's the social services that kept passing the buck.

"It is absolutely disgraceful and I don't want anyone to go through what my mum has."

Way Ahead Care, who state on their website that they, "care that your nearest and dearest are treated with respect and dignity", said they have since spoken to Corrin.

The company have passed on their condolences to what they say is a "terrible situation".

Carol Evans, Way Ahead Care company secretary said: "Obviously it's still very early days in this sad situation.

"We spoke to Corrin as she had notified us about what had happened.

"We have been working with the family over the course of a few weeks over her care programme and have now started an internal investigation.

"We will be speaking to all staff involved with Mrs Green's care and this will take a while to complete as there are a number of outside external agencies involved with this package of care.

"It will take time to co-operate with everyone involved as we are only just finding out what has happened.

"My deepest thoughts go out to the family and it is vital we get to the bottom of this.

"The most important person in all this is Mrs Garland and making sure that she is ok."

Somerset County Council was the commissioner of Margaret's care programme.

A spokesman for Somerset County Council said: “The care provider has made us aware of these concerns and we are working with them, the family and all other partner agencies to establish exactly what happened, so it would not be appropriate to comment further at this time.”