NICK Smith MP has championed care home staff by taking part in an open day project held across the country.

The Blaenau Gwent MP visited Plasgeller Nursing Home in Brynmawr as part of Care Home Open Day.

During the visit he had the chance to chat to staff and residents while playing a few holes of a special crazy golf course put on for the day.

The Care Home Open Day’s purpose is to showcase the daily successes of care homes which are too often overshadowed by care failures across the country.

Mr Smith is an active campaigner for care home rights in the wake of Operation Jasmine, a seven-year investigation into care home abuse in South Wales.

Speaking after the open day, he said the visit had emphasised how important it was to ensure our loved ones are treated with respect and dignity.

“It was good to see the hard work of the staff today and talk to residents about their lives and families”, he said.

“I spoke to a collier of 40 years standing and many more besides. These people were and are the bedrock of our community and they deserve the best.

“While I know most care homes are doing a good job in taking care of their residents, seeing somewhere as pleasant as Plasgeller only strengthens my resolve about toughening the law around care home abuse.”

For more information on Care Home Open Day, visit www.nationalcarehomeopenday.org.uk.