THE GWENT nursing home at the centre of a trial involving eight care workers accused of willfully neglecting an 84-year-old woman was undergoing a staffing crisis, a court heard.

A jury at Newport Crown Court were told bosses at Bryngwyn Nursing Home in Newbridge, where 84-year-old Gladys Thomas is alleged to have been neglected, employed carers with no training or qualifications during a staffing "crisis".

The eight members of staff are alleged to have "failed in their duty" to the pensioner who suffered from schizophrenia and dementia.

She was taken to the Royal Gwent Hospital on October 19, 2005, suffering from extensive injuries, including bruising and a fractured rib.

Peter Booth, 45, of Pen Y Fan Close, Pentwyn, Evan Green, 45, of Gaynors, Fairwater, Cwmbran; Angela Johnson, 47, of Hector Avenue, Crumlin; Shibu Joseph, 32, of Gaer Park Drive, Newport; Ebenezer Ajiwe, 48, of Woodlands Terrace, Abercarn; John Ajewole, 53, of Victoria Terrace, Abercarn, Tahir Hayat, 30, of Coldra Road, Newport and Debra Richards, 45, of Brynawel, Bedwas, all deny wilful neglect.

Former care home manager Dawn Harris told the court she was under pressure from senior management to run the home using minimal staff.

Ms Harris said: "Any home has to have a number of staff to fill a shift and there was a deficit, in that respect you could call it a crisis."

She said the home employed the minimum numbr of carers allowed by law because of financial restraints.

Paramedic Kevin O'Connor said he found bruising to Ms Thomas' right shoulder and chest.

She also had marks on her forearm which the prosecution said were consistent with ligature marks.

She died in hospital on October 27.

One of the accused, Peter Booth told paramedics he was unaware of any previous injuries and had only been at the home for two days.

The court heard that records at the home show no logs of incidents which could have caused her injuries.

Mrs Harris said any accidents involving residents should be recorded in the residents notes and the accident book.

The former Bryngwyn Nursing Home is now Millview House Lodge Nursing Home and is under new management.

(Proceeding)