A BROMSGROVE care home that continued to charge a man's family for a month after his death has been hit with a rare critical notice.

A report by the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman says a complaint was made about Wayside Nursing Home, in New Road, with a family being charged for 28 days’ care after a father passed away.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA)’s guidelines state that providers should only charge families for up to three days.

The Ombudsman said that following an investigation last year, they asked the care home to refund the father’s estate for the extra days charged and asked the company to review its contract to ensure it is in line with CMA guidance.

The care provider agreed to the recommendations, but according to the ombudsman, the care home has failed to provide evidence that it has carried them out, despite being chased for the information.

The Ombudsman has subsequently issued an Adverse Findings Notice against the care provider and its findings with the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The provider was asked to apologise to the family and refund the man’s estate any money paid towards care costs from three days after his death following the complaint.

Ms Amerdeep Somal, of the Local Government and Social Care Ombudsman, said: “It is simply not good enough for providers to agree to comply with our recommendations and then fail to produce evidence they have done so.

"We check to confirm compliance when we find fault.

“I am particularly disappointed that this care provider agreed to refund this family but has then said it will seek to recoup this cost by enforcing late fees it had previously waived".

“I am concerned this provider’s contemptible attitude, both to my office and the family, does not demonstrate a mature and customer-focused approach to improving its services for residents.”

Wayside Nursing Home declined to comment when approached by the Advertiser.