Imogen says she had already complained that the accommodation had not been properly cleaned
The pills found in the cupboard
A mum claims she fled a ‘nightmare’ holiday park after her children found loose prescription tablets in the bedroom of her caravan. Imogen’s children, aged six and seven, allegedly found the medication inside a low bedside cupboard at Littlesea Holiday Park, near Weymouth, Dorset.
The 30-year-old said the youngsters opened the cupboard themselves before screaming for her. Pictures taken inside the caravan appear to show several loose white tablets, including a large capsule-shaped pill bearing the imprint “XR 1000”.
Imogen immediately removed the tablets, photographed them and handed them to staff at the park reception. She said: “Finding those tablets made my blood run entirely cold. If either of my children had mistaken those white pills for sweets and swallowed them, it could have caused a catastrophic medical emergency.
“As a mother, knowing how close my babies came to being poisoned is a living nightmare.”
The “XR 1000” marking is used on some 1,000mg extended-release metformin products. UK medicines guidance says a large metformin overdose can cause lactic acidosis, a medical emergency requiring hospital treatment.
Imogen said she had already complained through the Haven app about dead insects, cobwebs, a dirty fridge, debris on the floor and marks across the cupboards. A cleaner was subsequently sent back to the accommodation. Imogen also reported a broken kitchen kickboard, bin lid, curtain rail and gate. She said one maintenance worker attended on the Friday but was unable to repair the gate, before another employee returned and fixed it the following day.
The mum said her son also developed a rash on his neck during the holiday. She said: “Beyond the drugs, the accommodation was neglected and thoroughly filthy upon arrival.
“We had to waste our precious holiday time waiting around because they had to send a cleaner back to the caravan. The hygiene standards were so appalling that my son broke out in a physical skin rash on his neck.”
Imogen said she initially received an apology when she handed the tablets to reception. She claims she heard nothing further about the medication until speaking to a manager the next day.
She claims that when she asked for the discovery to be formally recorded as a health and safety incident, the manager replied: “I won’t be doing that as I don’t need to.”
Imogen said she felt “cornered” into accepting an offer of a 50 per cent refund during the discussion. She said she later wrote to Haven rejecting the suggestion that the complaint had been resolved.
The mum left the park at approximately 4.15pm on Sunday, 16 August, earlier than planned.
She said: “I fled the park to protect my family’s health. I have completely lost all faith in Haven Holidays.”
Mateusz Dolata, general manager of Littlesea, subsequently apologised to Imogen in an email He wrote: “A prescription tablet should never have been left in a holiday home and I am truly sorry for this.”
Mr Dolata said the tablets were disposed of appropriately and the incident was later logged on the company’s system so it could be investigated. He said Imogen accepted a 50 per cent refund worth £320 and remained at the park until Sunday evening.
Mr Dolata said Friday had been exceptionally hot and cleaning teams had been working in “very challenging conditions”. He added that this may explain the missed check but was “not an excuse”.
He said the matter had been followed up with the relevant employee and would be used to reinforce the importance of checking every part of the company’s holiday homes. Mr Dolata added: “I am genuinely sorry for the distress and worry caused and I completely appreciate why finding medication in your accommodation would have been particularly upsetting as a parent.”
Haven has been approached for further comment.