Deaths at Nottinghamshire care home being investigated as murder

Two deaths at Springwater Care Home in Calverton, Nottinghamshire are being investigated by police as murder.

The deaths took place on 2 and 3 August this year and the family of one of the residents who died has revealed they have had to put the funeral on hold while further tests are carried out on the body.

Four other residents died at the home in the four weeks prior to this but they are not being treated as suspicious.

A spokesman for Nottinghamshire Police said: “Two women arrested on suspicion of murder have been released without charge. The arrests were made on 7 August 2016 in relation to two deaths at Springwater Care Home in Calverton, Nottinghamshire.

“The deaths occurred on 2 and 3 of August 2016. The women are employees of the care home and currently suspended from duty. The investigation is ongoing.”

Springwater Lodge is a purpose built 41 bedded facility owned by HC-One. It was last inspected in 2015 and received an overall rating of Good.

Inspectors found that at the time of the inspection 'people could not be assured their medicines would be managed effectively and they would be given these as they were intended to be given. There were some areas of the home where improvements regarding cleanliness were needed'.

However they added that 'staff knew how to keep people safe and to raise any concerns if they suspected someone was at risk of harm or abuse. Staff understood the risks people could face through everyday living and how they needed to ensure their safety. There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs and any absences from work were covered. Staff received training to ensure they had the knowledge and skills to provide people with safe and appropriate care'.

In response to the allegations, a spokesperson for Springwater Lodge care home said: “We are deeply shocked and distressed”.

“We are working very closely with the police while they seek to establish whether a murder took place, and we will do everything we can to support their investigation.

“We will also remain in close contact with the local authority and the regulator.

“Staff, residents and relatives will be kept as updated as possible and full management support is in place while police inquiries are ongoing. We have brought in additional staff to ensure we can deliver continuity of care to our residents. We want to thank them, and their relatives, for their support at this very difficult time and reiterate that we will do everything we can to support the investigation.

“We cannot provide any further information at this time, other than to repeat that the wellbeing of the people we care for is at the heart of everything we do.”