Warminster care home Henford House has been warned to update its “dying policy” after failing to tell a resident’s only regular visitor that she had died.

Ninety-three-year-old Mary Bromhead died at the care home in November last year, but Susan Walter, her niece-in-law, only found out six days later and a Wiltshire Council inquiry has concluded it was "unreasonable" she was not told.

Owner of the care home Barchester Healthcare said it was a "complex issue" because Mrs Walter was not the next-of-kin, but she said she had told staff a number of times to tell her if her relative’s health deteriorated.

Mrs Walter, who had known Mrs Bromhead for more than 30 years, was upset that she "couldn't give her support at the end or say goodbye" and had made "assurances" to her aunt-in-law she "would be there" for her.

After her complaint, Wiltshire Council investigated and found that although Mrs Bromhead's "known wishes" had been followed it was "unreasonable" that Mrs Walter, as the "only regular visitor", had not been informed.

It also found the home's "treatment" of Mrs Bromham's belongings after her death - which Mrs Walter's claims were in black bags - had been "insensitive".

It was recommended Henford House update its end of life care plans and review its procedure for "gathering up residents' property" after their death.

A spokesperson for Barchester Healthcare said, they could not comment on the council's final report as they had not received it.