An elderly cancer patient was found with maggots crawling in his ears at a privately-run care home.
John Callaghan was a resident at the Bupa Tugun aged-care facility on Australia's Gold Coast when the horrifying discovery was made.
His wife Fay, 83, says she was 'disgusted' at the condition of her husband after making a visit in 2017.
John had begged his family to take him home after spending just two weeks at the nursing home, citing the staff's lack of experience.
He told them: "This is a terrible place it's dreadful, they don't look after you please get me out."
Sadly, John died in a nearby hospital just ten days after raising concerns with his family about his treatment.
Mr Callaghan had ear cancer and an existing fungating wound on the left side of his head when he arrived at the facility in October 2017, according to reports.
"He wasn't an easy man to look after, he was in great pain and was battling cancer in his ear, but when I came to visit him maggots were crawling out of his ears," Mrs Callaghan said.
Bupa, which rakes in AUS$475million (£265m) in Australian government funding annually, has apologised to his family over the incident.
"This was a serious but isolated incident which occurred in 2017 at our Bupa Tugun home, a spokesperson told the Daily Mail.
"The issue was quickly addressed by nurses at the home and Mr Callaghan was transferred to the local hospital at the time."
"We conducted our own independent investigation and strengthened our wound care management processes, including partnering with external wound care specialists and conducting spot checks.
"Bupa Tugun has passed five external audits by the regulator since October 2017 and is fully compliant with all aged care standards.
"This particular case was also investigated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission earlier this year and was closed following consultation with Bupa and Mrs Callaghan.
"We are clearly very sorry this initial incident occurred, and Bupa has apologised to Mrs Callaghan."
The case was investigated by Australia’s Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission earlier this year.
