Care home workers 'in tears' over staffing - union

The union, Unison, held a protest outside Heartly Green care home over staffing levels

A care home has been hit by protests from its own staff who claim they have been left "in tears" over residents' poor care.

Workers at Heartly Green care home in Irlam, Salford, said staff numbers at night were too low which caused delays for residents needing help going to bed or using the toilet.

One staff member said she had "nightmares" over working at the Greater Manchester care home.

Park Homes, which runs the care home, said residents' safety was its "number one priority" and denied staffing levels were low.

The company, which runs the home through a lease from Salford City Council which owns the building, confirmed there were six members of staff on duty each night, caring for 58 residents at the home in total.

It said that was standard levels of staffing across the industry.

The council said it had raised issues with staffing last year but Park Homes said those concerns did not reflect what was happening at the home today.

The healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), rated the care home as "good" after its last inspection in 2023.

The CQC said it had "not received any concerns from staff about the care and treatment of people" at the care home.

However, workers at Heartly Green, who demonstrated outside the home last week, claimed there were not enough staff during shifts to help residents quickly.

Unison president Steve North said he was "sick to death" of Park Homes, the company which runs the care home

Night carer Sharron Dalley said: "Residents have to wait hours for us to put them to bed.

"If they want to use the toilet, they have to sit there and wait.

"I have nightmares about this place when I go home."

"I cry sometimes at work," the 62-year-old added.

'Allay concerns'

Support worker Sherry Hancock, 47, said: "Residents waiting for the toilet are having to wait in bed.

"It's upsetting."

Steve North, president of trade union Unison, called for the company to quit the Salford care home.

He said: "We need them to recognise it is time for them to go, our patience has run out, the trust is gone.

"We are sick to death of this company and we want them to leave."

Park Homes, which runs the care home, says it appointed a new managing director last October

John Merry, Salford City Council's lead for adult social care, said he was "extremely disappointed" by the workers' claims and "the approach taken by the operator" which had led to the union action.

He said the authority was in talks with Park Homes to find a way forward.

Park Homes said staffing levels were in line with sector standards based on residents' needs and urged staff to share any concerns so it can "immediately review our practices as needed".

A spokesperson from the company said it had asked for talks with the union and hoped "we can allay their concerns and move forward positively".

The BBC has approached the department of health and social care for a comment.