THE son of a much-loved family man who lived the Hillview Nursing Home for five years has told of his disappointment at what he regards as the "neglect" he received in the institution.

Peter Browne's most serious complaint surrounds the administration of oxygen to his father, also Peter, a widower and father-of-two, who at one point appeared not to have been given it and on another occasion seems to have been given too much.

Other worries surround the fact that an injury to his father's foot went unnoticed and that his father was often left with food and liquid around his face and body and was unclean.

A total of seven complaints were investigated by Redcar and Cleveland Borough Council's Adult Safeguarding Team and The Northern Echo has been handed six of them.

One report upholds a family complaint that Mr Browne was given food alone despite being at risk of choking due to a rare brain disorder.

The most detailed report, made in August last year when a social worker make an unannounced visit, concluded: "Staff aware that Peter is supported to be clean, particularly around his clothes and face following meals. However, I feel that issues around his personal care and dignity in his area can be substantiated. On investigation it was evident that Peter's care plan was not relevant...recording around supervision of meals was not evident...A key nurse is to face disciplinary action. Poor record keeping substantiated."

Peter Browne, who lives in Australia but visited his father in the home several times, explained his family had often wanted to take his father out of the home, but he had refused, saying he wanted to stay in his home area. He did eventually move in September and was more settled in his final days, before he died last month aged 90.

Mr Browne said his father was an Irishman who had stayed in the UK after being demobbed from the British Army in 1952. He was very well known in South Bank, especially for his work at St Peter's Church, school and club.

Mr Browne said: "My only intent is to make it known how bad it was for dad and the others in that home, to make it better for those that are left."

A spokesperson for Bupa, which runs the Hillview home, said: "We’re sorry for any concerns Mr Browne’s family have about the care we provided. When issues about the administration of oxygen were raised we immediately implemented additional training and supervision for staff. Our residents and their families have commented on the improvements made.”