COUNCIL bosses have suspended placing any more people in a York care home after a former member of staff alleged a resident had been mistreated.

The allegations were made about Birchlands in Haxby before its owners, Mimosa Health Care Group Limited, went into administration last month.

A former employee told The Press he had informed City of York Council and also the watchdog body, the Care Quality Commission, that he had witnessed a frail female resident being restrained by being wrapped in a sheet by a member of staff, completely contrary to safeguarding procedures.

The man, who did not wish to be identified, said he understood that only about half of the home's beds were occupied following the council's embargo on sending new residents there.

A council spokeswoman confirmed that it was aware of the allegation and had investigated, adding: "Whilst we cannot comment on the outcome of individual cases, we can confirm that we agreed with the home, prior to it going in to administration, that we would not place new people whilst any necessary improvements are made."

A spokeswoman for the administrators who have been appointed for Mimosa, BDO LLP, said they were 'working quickly to understand and resolve any issues that may be affecting homes within the Mimosa Healthcare group'.

She said: "Should any problems be identified, appropriate action will be taken. A new home manager has recently been appointed at Birchlands in Haxby and we will be working closely with them - as well as our professional care operators - to deliver high standards of care.

“The joint administrators are in contact with the care regulator and local authority to ensure that any concerns or issues previously raised are comprehensively addressed.”

The Press recently reported how Mimosa had gone into administration but there were no immediate plans to close its two care homes in York - Birchlands and Moorlands in Strensall. The joint administrators said they would continue trading the company via licensed agents with a view to effecting a sale as a going concern.