Great-gran, 98, claims she was left severely bruised by BUPA care home workers
Florence Jarratt's family was horrified when the pensioner told them she had been bruised - with her nose appearing to be broken
A 98-YEAR-OLD grandmother's claims she was beaten by private care home workers, left bruised and battered, has sparked an investigation.
Florence Jarratt told her family she had been "given a good hiding" after dark bruises appeared on both her arms, nose, right eye and cheek.
The family said they were told by the £1000-per-week care home that the bruises had formed due to blood thinners - but argued that none of her medication caused such side effects.
Mrs Jarratt's granddaughter Ellie Stockbridge said: "She was in such a bad way.
"Her nose even looked like it was broken and the bruises on her arms were horrific."
The family has since contacted the local safe guarding team who have carried out an investigation into the alleged events of October 21.
The 22-year-old added: "My nan told her sister-in-law that one of the women had 'given her a good hiding'."
The allegations are against staff at the St Christopher's Nursing Home in Hatfield, Herts.
Ellie said: "We are paying £1,000 a week for my nan to be cared for and it is not happening.
"My nan won't mention anything to us as she knows we are quite vocal, not in a way that we are rude, but she knows we would raise it further.
"You think your family are going to be safe in there and it was such a big deal for us to to take her there in the first place."
She said the family had made the decision to have Mrs Jarratt cared for at the home after they struggled to cope with her medical needs.
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The grandmother-of-eight lost her husband of 70-years, Thomas, 96, to old age just over a year ago.
It was when she became bed bound and incontinent that the family decided she would be best cared for at a nursing home.
Ellie said: "She's just amazing and she has been another mother to all of us. It's only been the last couple of years where she hasn't been able to cope by herself."
Mrs Jarratt was born one week before the end of World War One and worked in a biscuit factory as well as in a shop.
She then met her husband after he had served in India in World War Two.
Sarah Melia, Director of Midlands and East for Bupa Care Services, told The Sun Online: "We take all allegations about the care our residents receive in our homes extremely seriously.
"The health and wellbeing of all of our residents is always our priority.
"The social services investigation into Mrs Jarratt’s care could not determine the cause of her bruising. Once we received the conclusions of the social services investigation we launched our own investigation and are interviewing all of the carers involved."
She added: "We have not, and would never, cover up any incidents which arise in our homes - we always investigate them fully."
You think your family are going to be safe in there and it was such a big deal for us to to take her there in the first place
Ellie Stockbridge
A spokeswoman for the Care Quality Commission said: "We are aware of an incident concerning St Christopher's Nursing Home in Hatfield, Hertfordshire.
"We have been informed that this has been referred to the local authority which takes the lead with regard to any safeguarding matters.
"We are in touch with the provider and the local authority and continue to monitor the home closely. This will include further unannounced inspections."
Hertfordshire Police are not currently involved in the alleged incident.
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