Families speak out in support of Sunningdale Court Care Home after norovirus outbreak

RELATIVES of elderly residents at an east Hull nursing home have defended it against recent criticism.

Sunningdale Court Care Home was earlier this week criticised by Anita Anderson, who said she had been frustrated and angered about the care her grandmother Elsie Everitt has received.

But other families have spoken out in the home's defence, saying they could not have chosen a better place for their elderly relatives to live.

Victor Blowman, Janet Jimmeson, Martin Collingwood, Val Margerum, Carol Blackburn and Sheila Wallace all have relatives at the home and say the staff go out of their way to help people.

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The home in Birkdale Way was recently shut for five weeks due to an outbreak of norovirus.

Mr Collingwood, whose mother is in the home, said: "Many care homes were closed to visitors from norovirus over winter.

"The staff at Sunningdale were excellent and did a full deep clean of the home before re-opening to visitors.

"They followed all the proper procedures throughout and did an excellent job.

"They disinfected and sterilised from top to bottom."

Val Margerum says relatives were invited to take part in meetings with staff and residents, to raise any concerns they might have.

Val, who is the sister of Carol, and whose mum resides at the home, said: "We're like one big, happy family. If one of us is on holiday we go and see each other's mums to check they are OK.

"We all take care of each other."

The group said the home provides plenty of activities for residents to enjoy, including cards, games, armchair exercises and visits from entertainers.

Sheila Wallace, whose elderly mother has been at the home for a year, said: "They put on a great pantomime at Christmas.

"I'm the only one in my family, so at Christmas they invited me in to have Christmas dinner with my mum. Sunningdale isn't just a home, it is their home."

Mr Blowman visits his wife in the home every single day.

He said: "I come here and have my dinner with my missus and I spent Christmas and New Year with her.

"She has been in here four years and I wouldn't have let her stay that long if I thought there was something wrong."

On Tuesday, the Mail reported Anita Anderson's comments about the home.

She said her grandmother wasn't being wash regularly and was moved to a room which was not suitable for her.

But other families say they have had a different experience.

Janet Jimmeson, whose mother is a resident of Sunningdale, said: "Nothing is too much trouble for staff and if they are concerned about something, they come about talk to you about it.

"They hold birthday parties and make cakes – they've been nothing but nice to us."