A woman whose mother has been left on end-of-life care after being placed in a failing nursing home has launched a petition calling for an independent inquiry into the crisis in our care homes.

Linda Cackett, of Manor Green Road, Epsom, launched the online petition on Friday asking for "a judge-led inquiry into care home neglect and abuse and the failings of the system to protect these vulnerable people".

Ms Cackett’s said she was felt compelled to act following the deteriorating health of her 89-year-old mother Edna Slann who was placed in Grantley Court Nursing Home, in Sutton, last June, by Surrey County Council social services.

While there, she contracted a severe foot infection which has now left her on end-of-life care in Leighton House Nursing Home in Epsom, where she was moved to in September.

Grantley Court was shut down by health and social care watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in December.

If Ms Cackett’s petition attracts 100,000 signatures, the matter can be debated in Parliament.

She said: "I’m asking for a judge-led review of the care system.

"There’s a crisis in our care homes which everyone seems to accept but one is doing anything about.

"The CQC are understaffed and under-resourced.

"They are not able to do what they are supposed to do."

Ms Cackett said she is still searching for answers as to why her mother was placed in Grantley Court when shortcomings had already being identified at the home by the CQC in an inspection last January.

The CQC did not publish a report of these findings on its website until last September - nine months later.

Although the CQC has apologised for this "administrative error", Ms Cackett said there is still confusion as to whether Sutton and Surrey County Councils were informed of the shortcomings before the report was published online.

She has now referred the matter to the Parliamentary and Health Service Ombudsman.

Ms Cackett said she has received a response from Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt saying he was sorry to hear about her mother’s situation and a full investigation into her safeguarding will be undertaken.

Last week, the CQC issued guidance on the use of surveillance in care homes when loved-ones are concerned about potential abuse.

The guidance makes people aware of other channels they can explore before installing cameras such as raising concerns with staff and safeguarding authorities.

Your Local Guardian:

Grantley Court Home, in York Road, Sutton 

Mrs Cackett, who filmed her mother in Grantley Court using a mobile phone, said: "The CQC should be spending more money on solving their own problems rather than publishing these reports on the use of cameras."

To sign the petition click here.

Have you been affected by an experience at a care home in the area? Contact Hardeep Matharu by calling 020 8722 6346 or emailing hmatharu@london.newsquest.co.uk.