These are the heartbreaking images of a Runcorn grandfather, whose family say declined rapidly before passing away after what was only supposed to be a two week stay in a local care home.

Victor Collinson had dementia when he went into St Luke’s Care home in November, 2022, for what was supposed to be two weeks of respite care.

But they say that following a number of falls and what they claim was 'neglect', his physical health deteriorated rapidly - soon reducing what had been a happy and chatty 77-year-old, to someone who would end up bedbound in hospital and later pass away.

“My father was very much an animated person, despite his affliction of mixed dementia.” Said son Steve. “He was always singing and talking to everyone around him. He would hug everyone who came into his home and despite his limited mobility, he had no issue walking unaided about his home.”

His family - who along with four other families are pursuing legal action against the Halton Council-run Palacefields home - allege sub-standard care was delivered while he was staying there.

They say this included:

  • Falling and sustaining a head injury in his first 48 hours at the home. It required hospital treatment and staples to a head wound.
  • Two subsequent falls at the home, which they say staff blamed on his slippers.
  • Visiting family often found the father-of-four sat alone with cold plates of uneaten food.
  • He looked dishevelled, hair uncombed, nails uncut and oral hygiene neglected.
  • Wife Linda found him shivering in an armchair wearing only underpants and a T-Shirt in a room with all the windows open while it was snowing outside.

The family also submitted a subject access request to gain access to his notes, they said this revealed he was only showered once in 26 days – although he did receive washes.

They say his notes also revealed he had only received drinking water once, with all other drinks being caffeine based. They said that on November 26, 2022, Victor – a former employee at Ford in Halewood, was taken into hospital, suffering predominantly from what the family said was acute dehydration.

Son Steve said: “The day I took my mother up to the hospital was the first time I’d seen him since going in. I was stunned by the sight of him, I felt as though I had been hit in the chest. My father looked skeletal.”

The family said they tried to bring Victor home but were advised by social services that he needed to remain in a home. When they raised concerns, Steve said a social worker suggested they look for an alternative home and provided wife Linda with a list to call. But not long after, doctors informed Linda that Victor’s body was 'shutting down' and that he would soon die.

The family said he hung in for longer than doctors thought, passing away on February 15, 2023 - 10 days after his 78th Birthday and a month before his and Linda’s 59th wedding anniversary.

His death certificate cited dementia and frailty, but the family believe that urosepsis – a serious infection which he had been diagnosed with in hospital -  dehydration and what they claim was general ‘neglect’ all contributed to and accelerated Victor’s death. Steve added: “My father went into that home for what should have only been a mere two weeks and in doing so he lost his life.”

A spokesperson for Halton Borough Council, said: "St Luke’s is a home which provides support to individuals with advanced dementia.  We are aware of the complaints from the family members of former St Luke’s residents. We confirm that complaints were received through the council’s complaints process, all of which were investigated and responded to.

"We have provided details to family members on the findings of our investigations."

They added: "We consistently aim to provide good person-centred care, so it is regretful that families have felt the need to complain about the care and support of their family members. We are unable to provide further detail due to ongoing legal matters."