A CARE home has been rapped for "unnacceptable failings" after a great grandmother died just 16 days after being admitted.

The family of Margaret McNally say the 83-year-old was captured on video dancing the day she moved into the Village Care Home, Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire on April 12.

However her health quickly deteriorated according to her son Gerald, who said that by the time she was removed on April 28, “the damage was done”.

She had lost more than a stone in weight and suffered a shoulder injury and lost the ability to walk and talk, according to her family. She died a few weeks later on June 2.

Six complaints against the home were upheld by the Care Inspectorate and investigations are still continuing.

The complaints included that Margaret was fed a ‘normal’ diet despite only being able to eat soft food and the care home did not seek medical advice about Margaret’s shoulder injury when asked to by the family.

Gerald, 56, said: “In the time she was in there, she must have gone gradually downhill but no-one noticed it.

"She was supposed to be on soft food but they gave her a ‘normal’ diet - they were putting the food down but not monitoring that she wasn’t eating it.

“I asked about the injury to her arm, but if we hadn’t said anything, they would not have thought to get a doctor.

“If we had left her in there, she would have died faster."

Margaret was admitted to A&E at Monklands Hospital, Airdrie suffering from dehydration. She returned home before being readmitted to hospital, and spent her final weeks being cared for by her family in Cumbernauld.

Health giant HC-One, which runs the home, said it was implementing an action plan based on the recommendations.

A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “The care experienced by Margaret was unacceptable and our thoughts are with her family and loved ones.

“We have carried out a full investigation of this distressing matter, including visiting the home twice unannounced to interview staff and gather evidence.

“We will be upholding all six elements of the complaint brought to us. The outcome of our investigation will be published on our website soon.

“We have also made two formal requirements on the care service to improve the care experienced by residents and have also identified further areas where they need to improve.

“We are monitoring this home closely and will publish a full inspection report in due course.

“Everyone in Scotland has the right to safe, compassionate care which meets their needs and respects their rights."

A spokesman for the home said: “The health and wellbeing of our Residents is of top priority, and we take all feedback from the Care Inspectorate extremely seriously.

“We have responded fully to the feedback from the regulator regarding the care of the Resident in question.

“While we do not comment publicly on the intricacies of individual cases, we’re pleased to say that a detailed action plan has been put in place to address all of the Inspectorate’s observations.

“We are working closely alongside them and the local authority to ensure our residents receive the high standards of care they deserve.”