A son of one of the Abbotswood residents who died during the Covid-19 outbreak at the home is calling for support from the government.

The man - who asked to remain anonymous - has criticised the government’s handling of the bereaved families of the 22 residents who died at the nursing home in Ballasalla last year.

Widespread criticism has been levelled at the nursing home, where 47 of 52 residents tested positive for coronavirus.

The high number of cases ultimately led to the home having its licence suspended.

The concerned family member said: ’The most important thing to remember [going forward] is that many people paid a lot of money to be kept safe in Abbotswood and out of harms way.’

However he claims that following the home’s failings ’not one person from any government department has asked or offered any support.’

He said: ’You would have thought it would be the decent thing to do by a government if they cared.’

The relative has called for the government to appoint a liaison officer to communicate with all of the Abbotswood bereaved.

He said: ’This liaison would set up a meeting group for the bereaved, giving them a voice.

’It would be great if we had a collective voice and were able to ask the government questions and receive honest answers because the Abbotswood disaster should never have happened, and we of all people deserve to be kept in the loop.’

The man questioned why the families have not received any contact from government departments ’asking "How are you?" or "Are you coping?".’

In addition, he wanted to know why he had not heard of any proposals for a memorial for the island’s Covid-19 victims - suggesting it could be constructed near the home.

He insisted that the families are ’now suffering anguish, pain, depression, and are left grieving without any closure’.

The Manx Independent recently reported that the nursing home will be refurbished and set up to house residents again, but it will operate as Silverdale Care Ltd.

The owners are the same as those behind Abbottswood, but it is believed that some of the directors have stepped down.

The man appealing for other Abbotswood families to join his cause.