Disgraced home bosses face being struck off

Indrannee Pumbien and husband Meghadeven were last year convicted of ill treating elderly patients at Briarwood Rest Home in Lostock Hall. Mrs Pumbien was jailed for 18 months, later reduced to 12, and Mr Pumbien was given a nine-month sentence for neglect.

Now the Nursing and Midwifery Council has called them both before a panel, alleging their fitness to practice is impaired by reason of their convictions.

Should the allegations be proved, there are a range of sanctions open to the panel, including being struck off the medical register.

A six week trial at Preston Crown Court last year heard there were a catalouge of abuse and neglect claims which led to the police and social services closing the home in June 2014.

But Mrs Pumbien told the court she was “a caring person” who worked back-to-back shifts between the home in Todd Lane South and another care setting in Fulwood.

But after 43 hours of deliberations the jury convicted her of two counts of ill treatment by force feeding and another by failing to seek medical assistance for Margaret Wheatley, 99, when the scalds were discovered on her legs and feet.

The court heard the Pumbiens were overheard discussing Mrs Wheatley’s blisters and saying if they popped the wounds they could make it appear that the dementia sufferer had contracted cellulitis.

An employee at the home, Niphawan Berry, of Christ Church Street, was also jailed for five months for neglect.

The NMC hearing is scheduled to take place on August 30 and 31.