'˜My mother got the best care possible'

Merry Hall Nursing and Residential Care Home, in Kiln Road, Fareham, is under review by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) after the watchdog rated the centre ‘inadequate’ in its April 13 report.

As reported, the management team at the care home was sacked and replaced by owners Buckland Care Ltd. It was also found that two serious incidents to residents at the care home had not been reported to authorities.

However, Zoe Davies, whose mother Odette Davies was at the care home for two years before passing away aged 90 last month, has made a passionate defence of Merry Hall.

She said: ‘I was in there every day for two years and I never encountered anything but the best care possible.

‘They are now bending over backwards to adhere to the guidelines put on them by the CQC and are completely dedicated to improving the place.

‘I really value Merry Hall for the service it provided for my mother. I know the CQC report didn’t tick some of the right boxes but I’m really hoping people won’t be put off by it.’

Odette had lived in Fareham since the 1950s after moving from her native Wales, but moved to the care home in 2014 due to her increasing frailty before passing away on May 1.

Zoe added: ‘Every day I thank God that we found Merry Hall for her, as they were able to offer both nursing and general care and gave her safety and security.’

The CQC report said the serious injuries had not been investigated by the then-manager and that they were unable to explain why they had not been reported or why there was no investigation.

The care home will be reinspected between now and August to see if improvements have been made.