An illegal British-run nursing home operating under the guise of a rural guesthouse has been uncovered in the village of La Manchica, near Fuente Álamo in Cartagena, Spain.
The revelation came after an 84-year-old English woman, known as A.S., was rushed to hospital in critical condition last month. She was found in a filthy room at a remote farmhouse, suffering from dehydration, kidney failure, and infected wounds. Medical staff described her as being “on the verge of a coma.”
The farmhouse, owned by British couple Brian and Susan, has allegedly operated as an unlicensed elderly care facility for years. The couple moved to La Manchica in 2018 and set up ‘Pension Hakuna Matata – Rural Guest House’ and a bar.
Promoted online through their Casa Care website as offering “professional, high-quality care services” for those needing continuous support, the reality is far grimmer.
Prices ranged from €100 for a single day to €2,000 for four weeks (excluding VAT). However, investigations by elDiario.es reveal the establishment lacks accreditation and provides no genuine medical or personal care.
Although Brian claimed the residence closed over a decade ago, recent photos, videos, and job postings from 2023 and 2024 suggest otherwise. Elderly residents, including A.S., appear frequently in these images, often in vulnerable conditions.
Testimonies from the Primary Care Emergency Service (SUAP) in neighbouring Fuente Álamo, who have reportedly visited the property multiple times over the years, responding to calls involving frail British nationals, describe elderly British residents as living in appalling conditions—surrounded by trash, animals, and human waste.
Despite repeated alerts and a Guardia Civil inspection in 2020, authorities have failed to take effective action. Bureaucratic delays and a lack of coordination between social services, health, and law enforcement have been blamed.
Neighbours and locals have long suspected the residence was operating illegally, with some accusing the couple of additional crimes, including benefit fraud, animal cruelty, and even drug trafficking.
Locals express fear of retaliation and frustration at the lack of intervention. A.S. remains in hospital, while the status of other potential residents remains unknown.
Medical professionals involved over the years say they feel powerless, as official channels seem unresponsive despite widespread awareness of the situation.
