ELDERLY mentally ill patients at a Gwent care home were subjected to 'an appalling degree of abuse and lack of care' and should be moved out.

That is the damning verdict of Caerphilly MP Wayne David, who used Parliamentary privilege in the House of Commons to condemn the Holly House Nursing Home at Fleur-De-Lys, near Blackwood, and owner, GP Dr Prana Das.

A resident's daughter contacted him with her concerns after she visited her father and found him wandering in the car park. On another occasion he was discovered asleep in a laundry cupboard.

Mr David said he had uncovered several other incidents, including:

* A Care Standards Inspectorate Wales (CSIW) inspector saw a resident with facial bruising. There had been no assessment drawn up, despite her being prone to falling;

* A member of staff reported another had struck a resident. The police were called in but no action was taken after the complainant refused to make a statement.

* A resident was found lying on a lounge floor by a CSIW inspector during an unannounced inspection. There was no risk assessment for that resident.

Caerphilly council and the CSIW attempted to close Holly House last autumn, but a Care Standards Tribunal upheld an appeal against closure.

The CSIW in turn appealed that decision, but the tribunal rejected it.

Mr David called the situation "unacceptable". Referring to Holly House residents, he said: "Some of the most vulnerable and frail people in our society have been subjected to a truly appalling degree of abuse and lack of care. This nursing home should be closed and the elderly people should be looked after elsewhere with the care and compassion they deserve."

Dr Das claimed he and Holly House staff were the victims of a vendetta.

He admitted there were serious issues to deal with, but said he was "amazed" by what Mr David had said.

"That outburst is most upsetting, he has acted irresponsibly. He did not have the courtesy to ring me or to visit Holly House and the staff before rubbishing them."

The tribunal, he said, had ruled against closing Holly House, vindicating him.

"The tribunal has pointed out some failings but Holly House is a safe place to live and provides good care."

Caerphilly council is monitoring the situation. "The council will work with Dr Das to ensure standards of care continue to improve. If this is not the case, we will clearly reconsider," said a spokesman. "To date, no resident has chosen to be placed elsewhere."