Adviser quits after nursing home report

The Department of Health confirmed this week that Dr Chai Patel has
resigned as government adviser on older people’s issues.

It follows a damning report this month into the conditions of a
nursing home owned by Westminster HealthCare, where Patel was chief
executive. Earlier this year he moved to sister company Priory
Healthcare.

The investigation into Lynde House, at Twickenham, London, followed
concerns raised by relatives of residents. It cited low staffing
levels, inadequately trained staff and “poor and inadequate” supply
of equipment (news, page 16, 12 September).

Patel has also resigned from the board of trustees of Help the
Aged.