Care home boss thanks staff for raising alarm

Lorraine Holt, manager at Alistre Lodge, in St Annes Road East, which is rated ‘good’ across the board, said she was pleased her staff raised the alarm when it became clear what Ana and Cosmin Focsa had done.

They were sacked and then sentenced to 16 weeks’ jail suspended for a year and 200 hours’ unpaid work for the community. They also each must pay £200 compensation to their victim.

Ms Holt said: “Ana Focsa was cleared to work as a care assistant by the NMC and the DBS service to work not as a nurse but as a carer. She undertook no nursing duties here. That is why she was employed. Her CRB was completely clear.

“Through the courts justice has been done. [The victim] still resides in Alistre Lodge and we have had full support from her family, safeguarding and our governing body the Care Quality Commission.

“Our staff work incredibly hard and are trained to a high standard. They are actively encouraged to speak out.

“Staff both past and present have had full enhanced disclosures by the DBS service and the NMC. I would like to take this opportunity to thank the staff and relatives of our other clients for their support during this challenging time.”