THE owner of a Darwen care home has been accused of ‘adding insult to injury’ by chasing payments from a patient’s relatives after he was moved out.

Elderly residents, aged between 74 and 101, were taken out of Highfield House, in Sudell Road, last month, after a review by social services and the Care Quality Commission.

An investigation found they were left without hot water, or heating, for three weeks.

They were also denied desserts after evening meals.

Now it has been revealed that Midlands-based owner Surjit Dhillon has been telep-honing relatives of former patients, demanding payments.

Shirley Ashendon, of Peregrine Drive, Darwen, placed her husband, Frank, in the home in March.

He has now been transferred to Oldfield Manor, in Hawkshaw Avenue. She said: “I’ve had two, or three, phone calls demanding that I pay for six days’ keep, to which I say, no registered care home manager, no heating, no food, no pay.

“It’s not about the money, which is £44 a day, but it’s about the principle.

“It’s dreadful that he’s adding insult to injury for people who have had to deal with the str ess of moving loved ones to different homes.

“I haven’t even had anything in writing. It’s all been on the phone.

“I’ve told Mr Dhillon that if he wants to take me to the small claims court, then he can go for it. He won’t get anywhere.”

Mr Dhillon was unavailable for comment when approached by the Lancashire Telegraph over several days.