THE council has dismissed reports of an increase in allegations of abuse in care homes as 'misleading'.

More than 740 allegations of abuse in care homes in the borough were made in the last five years, according to figures provided Bury North MP James Frith in response to a parliamentary question he posed in June.

Although the data from the Care Quality Commission is accurate, the council said that changes to the definition of abuse in 2014 can be blamed for the rise.

The Care Act, which widened the scope of what is constituted as abuse, means that any mistake, near miss or potential harm is also counts.

Notifications of abuse can include a range of incidents such as missing a dose of medication, missing reviewing an element of someone’s care plan or providing a meal different from a residential dietary requirements.

Deputy leader Andrea Simpson, who holds the health and wellbeing portfolio, said reports are expected to continue rising.

She said: "I will continue to encourage all of our care homes to report incidents."