Illegal British-run nursing home uncovered in Murcia farmhouse
A British-run guesthouse in La Manchica has been exposed after an elderly woman was hospitalised in a critical condition
A disturbing case in the quiet, little village of La Manchica, in the municipality of Cartagena but located just 5 kilometres south of Fuente Álamo, has exposed the existence of an apparently unlicensed nursing home operating for years under the guise of a rural guesthouse and bar. The makeshift care facility came to light following the hospitalisation of an 84-year-old English woman, who was found in appalling conditions, suffering from severe dehydration and kidney failure.
On March 16, the woman, identified only as A.S., was rushed to Santa María del Rosell Hospital in Cartagena. Emergency services found her in a filthy room at a remote farmhouse, surrounded by animal excrement, urine and rubbish. Medical staff described her as being “on the verge of a coma”, emaciated and with multiple infected wounds, according to Spanish news outlet El Diario.
The farmhouse is owned by British couple Brian and Susan K., who have lived in La Manchica since 2018. Before that it seems they were living in the Mazarrón urbanisation of Camposol.
The couple purchased a cluster of three connected houses in the tiny village and established ‘Pension Hakuna Matata-Rural Guest House’ along with a bar of the same name – the only one in the area. However, according to emergency workers and social media records, the property has also functioned for years as an unauthorised care home under the name ‘Casa Care’.
Though the Facebook page for Casa Care remains active, describing the business as a residence for the elderly and assisted living, local authorities confirm it has never held a licence to operate as such. The page advertises services ranging from companionship to complex care, claiming oversight by “a nurse with more than 32 years of experience” believed to be Susan K. herself.
Despite Brian K.’s repeated claims to Spanish media that the residence “closed more than 10 years ago”, evidence suggests otherwise. Numerous photos, job adverts and videos posted throughout 2023 and even into 2024 show elderly residents in wheelchairs, some with breathing aids, gathered in the garden or inside the bar. A.S. appears frequently in these images.
Emergency workers have been called to the property many times over the years, treating a range of elderly British nationals in poor health. One SUAP (Primary Care Emergency Service) doctor described it as a “very shady and strange place”, often reeking of animals and lacking proper sanitation. Staff have reportedly seen goats, dozens of cats and dogs inside the residence.
“There’s no doubt what it is,” one nurse said. “Every time we’re called, we know we’re going to find elderly people in distress, often in horrible conditions.”
Despite several warnings and at least one inspection in 2020 triggered by the Guardia Civil, there has been no significant intervention. Local sources suggest the case was not followed up, with bureaucratic inefficiency and a lack of coordination between health, social and law enforcement agencies to blame.
The recent hospitalisation of A.S., whose medical records state she resides in a care home, has again highlighted the authorities’ inaction. Emergency staff said she had recently suffered a severe head injury and that her living conditions were “far from acceptable for someone so dependent”.
Brian K. told medical staff she was a family member, yet produced a folder containing all her health records and prescriptions when asked about her condition – something doctors say is inconsistent with the claim that she was simply a guest staying with him.
Neighbours in La Manchica – a tiny village with just 34 residents – say they have long suspected the farmhouse was being used as an unofficial nursing home, but few had ever been inside. One local resident recalled how elderly people began appearing shortly after the couple moved in and said the business had once advertised itself as an end-of-life residence. “It’s in the middle of nowhere. No one’s watching,” said another.
Authorities were again contacted on March 16 following the ambulance call, but according to the nurse who made the report, the Guardia Civil and local police claimed they could not act without a formal police complaint. Hospital social services were alerted, but no official action has yet been taken.
Concerned locals have also accused the pair of a string of other offences, including benefit fraud, defrauding charities, child endangerment, animal cruelty, power of attorney scams and even drug trafficking.
Despite both UK and Spanish police being notified of these alleged crimes, so far nothing has come of it.
“Everyone, including me, is scared of them and the repercussions,” said one neighbour, who chose not to be named. “They even threatened the teacher at the kid’s school and he has since been so scared he dare not say anything.”
They continued, “This isn’t a recent thing it’s gone on years. No one wants to listen but someone needs to see what they are doing.”
In the meantime, A.S. remains in hospital undergoing treatment. It is unclear whether any other elderly residents are still inside the La Manchica property, but sounds of conversation and domestic activity apparently continue to be heard from inside.
Medical workers who have responded to calls at the property over the years say they feel helpless. “Everyone knows what’s going on,” said one nurse. “But the message never seems to reach the people who can actually do something about it.”
Image: Google Maps
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