CLAIMS that patients are abused and uncared for were angrily denied by staff of a Gwent care home speaking at a packed public meeting.

Carers from Holly House Nursing Home at Fleur-de-Lys, near Blackwood, were joined by dozens of relatives of patients as they responded to damning criticisms.

Last week Caerphilly MP Wayne David used Parliamentary privilege in the House of Commons to condemn Holly House, saying elderly mentally ill patients were subjected to "an appalling degree of abuse and lack of care" and should be moved out.

The home was criticised last year by the Care Standards Inspectorate Wales after serious failings were uncovered. Then in a television interview last week, Caerphilly's director of social services Joe Howsam said he would not put a relative at the home.

The home's owner, Dr Prana Das, claims he is the subject of a vendetta.

At a packed meeting at the home on Friday, emotions ran high as staff and families had their say.

Paul Black, chief executive of Puretruce, the firm which runs Holly House, said: "There has never been a case in this home where staff have mistreated or abused a resident."

Nurse Julie Jones said: "After working at Holly House for nearly four years, I can say that I have never encountered, heard nor witnessed any form of institutional abuse or lack of care by any member of staff within the home."

She said issues over clinical and managerial problems highlighted at a tribunal from Care Standards have been addressed.

She added: "Why would the families of our residents, who visit on a daily basis, fight to keep their loved ones at Holly House if they felt there was any fear of lack of care or abuse?"

Many relatives backed up that point by praising the staff. Linda Harris, of Crumlin, said her father Warren Price, 67, received "caring, valuable support" from staff.

Gillian Jay, of Cefn Hengoed, said her brother-in-law Donald Hutchings was the resident highlighted in a CSIW report after he was found lying on the floor during an unannounced inspection.

She said: "That incident was blown out of proportion."

Caerphilly council said it will continue to monitor the situation at Holly House.