Officers from the Care Inspectorate for Scotland descended on Broughty Ferry’s Rosendael Veterans’ Residence to investigate allegations of bullying, harassment and intimidation against residents.
The inspectors converged on the home after several residents had raised complaints with the regulatory body a few weeks ago.
The team of inspectors arrived unannounced and, it is understood, spoke to staff at the home before interviewing residents individually and in private.
A source at the home told The Courier: ”They arrived team-handed. I don’t think the management knew they were coming in because they just appeared and surprised us all.
”They seem to be carrying out a very full inspection because they’re speaking to the residents on a one-to-one basis, with no staff looking over their shoulders.”
The news comes as it was also announced that the body of 38-year-old resident Mark Forrest, who died last week from a suspected drugs overdose, has been released to his family in Aberdeen, who will now be able to make preparations for his funeral.
A spokeswoman for Tayside Police confirmed that and said they were working closely with the bereaved family. She said the inquiry into ”all the circumstances” surrounding the death continues.
While there are ”no apparent suspicious circumstances,” the spokeswoman said that, as with all sudden deaths, ”a report has now been sent to the procurator fiscal.”
The move follows ”a number” of allegations made to the Care Inspectorate by veterans and former residents at Rosendael at the beginning of August.
The allegations were sent to The Courier following the death of one of the residents, former RAF technician Mark Forrest (38) from Aberdeen, on August 27.
Following our publication of the residents’ actions and concerns, several others contacted The Courier to raise further anxieties and complaints, including residents, former residents and a former staff member as well as people connected to the Gardening Leave charity project at Rosendael.
Local politicians called on the regulatory body to have a thorough and speedy investigation into the allegations.
A spokesman for the Care Inspectorate said: ”We can confirm we are carrying out an unannounced inspection at Rosendael and inspectors have arrived on site at the service this morning.
”They will conduct a full inspection into all aspects of the care service and this will include the issues raised in a number of recent complaints. Our report will be published in due course.”
Susie Hamilton, fundraising and marketing manager of Scottish Veterans Residences, which operates Rosendael, said last night: ”We do not wish to prejudice to the investigation by the Care Inspectorate, which we are pleased is ongoing at present.
”Accordingly, at this time we simply want to confirm that we strongly refute the allegations of Mr John Ferrier and Mr Willie Ritchie and will fully cooperate with the Care Inspectorate in their investigation.”