A Bicester woman whose mother is a resident at Cherwood House Care Centre has spoken out in its defence, after it was accused of neglecting blind pensioner Edna Young.

As reported in the Oxford Mail, an inquest found neglect at the Buckingham Road home had contributed to the death of Mrs Young, 88, of Banbury Road, Bicester, who died in January 2004.

But Pam Savins, whose mother Evelyn has been at the home for eight years, said she had nothing but praise for the staff and was astounded at the verdict.

She said: "To say I was shocked is an understatement. I couldn't believe it. I've recommended the home to so many people. I've never known anywhere like it for helping people and trying so hard.

"I'm really upset to think that people who might want to go would be frightened to go. I've been delighted with the care my mother's been given and I've always said if I had to go into a home myself, I'd go there."

Carers had reported a deterioration in Mrs Young's health on three occasions but no medical treatment was given.

She was found to be severely dehydrated and suffering from pneumonia and kidney failure when she was rushed to hospital less than a month later.

Doctors agreed with her family to withdraw treatment and she died at Oxford's John Radcliffe Hospital on January 12 last year.

Coroner Nicholas Gardiner recorded a verdict of death by natural causes, aggravated by neglect, at Oxfordshire Coroner's Court. It was the first verdict of its kind to be recorded there in at least seven years.

Her daughter, Shirley Browne, said at the time she was "appalled" by her mother's treatment and warned others to watch out for any relatives they had in homes.

However, another relative has also come forward to criticise the care received by his brother at Cherwood House.

The 74-year-old Bicester pensioner, who did not wish to be named, said: "We have not been happy with his treatment for the last 12 months."

He added: "He rang his bell to go to the toilet in the middle of the night but no-one came and he was left lying in it all night."

The worried former plasterer also claimed staff were were slow to change his brother's bandages -- leaving them until they were black with blood on one occasion.