A grieving family were given another patient's false teeth and dirty clothes after waiting eight weeks for their dad's belongings.
Raymond Nickson, 90, from Trafford, Greater Manchester died in hospital after contracting Covid-19 at Swallowfield Gardens Care Home in Bolton where he had been living, the MEN reports.
His daughter-in-law Iris Nickson claims it was almost two months since his passing at Bolton Royal Hospital on October 5 before they were given his possessions.
When they did eventually get them, however, some of the clothes in the plastic bag belonged to someone else and appeared "unlaundered and smelly".
She claims another person's false teeth were also in the bag.
Swallowfield Care Home bosses said restrictions placed on care homes during the pandemic have been "extremely difficult" and have made the return of people's belongings challenging – as families are unable to go and "sort and collect" items themselves.
Iris, 50, told the Manchester Evening News : "I had to contact the coroners' office to get them to arrange for his things to be sent.
"They finally sent his belongings and many items were missing. We were also sent another man's clothes and teeth.
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"It's shocking. He was such a kind and gentle soul and a lovely man."
On September 27, Raymond tested positive for Covid-19. He was taken to hospital the next day before sadly passing away seven days later on October 5.
Andrew Maloney, deputy chief executive at GMMH said: "We offer our deepest condolences to Mr Nickson’s family.
"We have been in contact with Mr Nickson’s family over many months to explain the reasons as to why Mr Nickson needed to move from our Moorside Unit in Trafford, to a facility which would be able to meet his needs.
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"The decision made was the most clinically appropriate one, and in line with all our practises, we kept Mr Nickson’s family involved and informed at all times.
"Unfortunately, specialist mental health care is not always available near to the service user’s home, which is why in some circumstances, placements are made further afield."
A spokesman for Swallowfield Care Home said: "During the outbreak, only two service users contracted Covid-19 and it has remained that way since the outbreak.
"We thank everyone at this extremely difficult time for understanding the current epidemic, and the restrictions this puts on the care centres, in relation to the return of personal belongings, now that families are not able to come to sort and collect these."
A spokesperson for Trafford Council said the town hall "is aware of the situation and is working to address the concerns of the family".
National organisation Care Campaign for the Vulnerable also said it is supporting the Nickson family.
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