Social Care News

First Minister announces inquiry into alleged care home neglect investigated under Operation Jasmine

The First Minister, Carwyn Jones, yesterday (December 4) announced that an independent review would investigate alleged historical abuse and neglect at six South Wales care homes.

The review follows a seven-year £11.6m Gwent Police inquiry, called Operation Jasmine, which was funded by the Home Office and set up in 2005.

The inquiry led to charges against the owner of two of the homes, Dr Prana Das. The case collapsed in March 2013 after the doctor suffered a brain injury and could not stand trial.

The families of the 100 older people who were identified as possible victims (many of whom have since died) were left frustrated in their quest for answers.

Announcing the independent inquiry, Mr Jones said he did not want the alleged events of the past to be repeated. "I believe that we need a full and independent review of these events to understand whether there is anything else the social care sector and policy makers need to learn, anything else we need to put in place," he told assembly members.

"I expect the review to speak with the families of those involved as well as the local authorities involved, the police, the professionals and the regulators."

The Older People's Commissioner for Wales, Sarah Rochira, welcomed the announcement. She said: “I strongly welcome the independent review announced today as the most appropriate way to ensure that the families get the information and the answers they have told me they need. I know that the families also strongly welcome the First Minister’s announcement."

• Read more on this story on the BBC news website
• Read the Western Mail's coverage of this story

Background to the story:

• BBC: Dr Prana Das will not stand trial (March 2013)
• BBC: Council's concern over care home (2005)