Care home deaths more than double in a decade: Fears raised over neglect and poor treatment Last year there were over 103,000 deaths in residential care homes A major increase compared with ten years ago, when there were only 38,000 Findings also show that up to 27 per cent of care homes in England sent no records about their death rates to the regulator Elderly deaths in care homes have more than doubled in the past decade, raising fears of a hidden toll of neglect and poor care. Last year there were over 103,000 deaths in residential care homes - a third of all deaths outside the home, according to figures seen by the Daily Mail. This is a major increase compared with just ten years ago, when there were only 38,000 - or 13 per cent of deaths - occurring in care homes. The rise in care home deaths has led to fears of a hidden toll of neglect and poor care Professor Brian Jarman at Imperial College London, who exposed the death scandal at Mid Staffordshire hospitals, uncovered the rise from official figures submitted to the regulator. Prof Jarman, a world expert in death rates, said: "As we are finally getting the scrutiny we need in hospitals, deaths are being exported to care homes where they not well regulated. It really beggars belief. His analysis also shows up to 27 per cent of care homes in England sent no records about their death rates to the regulator, the Care Quality Commission, even though it is their legal duty to. The figures were prepared for BBC1"s Panorama programme broadcast last night which features the stories of two elderly women who allegedly mistreated in care homes. Relatives of Kathleen Reid, a land girl during the Second World War, became concerned about her care in the Poplars Care Home in Mountsorrel, Leicestershire where she was admitted with Alzheimer's disease aged 88. Up to 27 per cent of care homes in England sent no records about their death rates to the regulator Her weight plummeted by 15 per cent in just five months. A safeguarding investigation by the county council confirmed she had suffered neglect. She died 14 days after leaving. Inspectors from the CQC made an unannounced visit, and raised major concerns about the care and welfare of residents, saying some went for long periods without adequate food or drink. Her daughter Joyce Zannoni, 62, said she repeatedly raised concerns during her mother's stay there from 2008 until 2011: "Every time I went up there was something not quite right, for example her bed was wet and then the finding of medications in her drawers and in her clothing. There has to be some sort of system where somebody takes the lead at the outset of concerns being raised... that actually works. Because at the moment, it doesn't work. It simply doesn't work. Professor Jarman compared the Poplars care home to 500 similar sized ones and said its" deaths rates were at the top of the scale. He said if the data was published, concerns could have been raised earlier and lives saved. Margaret Heslop, also a land girl, was admitted to Avonmead Care Home in Devizes, Wiltshire by her family in October 2011. She was 87. Her daughter Mandy Mugford, 52, told the programme how she installed a secret camera in her mother's bedroom after she became increasingly concerned about her care. Professor Brian Jarman at Imperial College London uncovered the rise from official figures submitted to the regulator Mrs Mugford said the footage showed she was left for hours in wet clothing; her call bell was pulled out of its socket leaving her unable to call for help; and she developed painful pressure sores on her legs. When the film was shown to Four Seasons Healthcare, the UK's largest provider, which operates the home, five members of staff were dismissed, and six received disciplinary sanctions. Mrs Heslop's health improved at home. Kathryn Murphy, chief executive of the Patients Association said: "It's always worrying to see a rise like this. When you have a relative in a care home it can be very difficult to raise concerns or get them listened to. But what applies in hospitals regarding complaints must apply in care homes, we must have the right staff working in our care homes who are looking after the most vulnerable of people. Care homes must by law report each death to the CQC when it happens; but Panorama found dozens of deaths in care homes that had reported no deaths at all to the CQC in 2011/12. David Behan, the new chief executive of the CQC, told the programme: "We are going to be absolutely clear about what is acceptable and what isn't acceptable. There's too much poor care in this country and we need to ensure that that is improving, or providers cease to exist. Death rates are critical and we need to ensure that our databases are up to date and where they're not, we need to challenge to do that. Four Seasons Healthcare disputed some of the claims, but has apologised for the distress caused to Ms Heslop's family and said a member of staff had been dismissed. The Poplars said Kathleen Reid's weight loss was consistent with the progression of her illness and denied residents had missed out on food and drink.