Police investigate 12 deaths at care homes run by Sussex Health Care

An investigation has been launched by police into the deaths of 12 people at eight care homes run by Sussex Health Care.

In conjunction with the ongoing police investigation, taking place in collaboration with the Care Quality Commission, West Sussex County Council has stopped placements at eight Sussex Health Care homes citing 'safeguarding concerns’.

The Council has named two of the care homes as: The Laurels in Guildford Road in Horsham and Orchard Lodge in Dorking Road in Horsham.

A West Sussex County Council spokeswoman said: “Together with partners including police, health and other local authorities, we are looking in detail at care at a number of services run by Sussex Health Care.

“New county council placements are suspended to eight homes run by the organisation due to safeguarding concerns. Where safeguarding concerns are raised about any care home in the county we work closely with the home to try and resolve those issues and support them in making improvements.

"We have committed to publishing the names of homes where we have significant safeguarding concerns. That is what we have done with the two homes on our website. Where necessary, or if requested we will offer residents the opportunity to move and we will continue to keep this under review.

“We are advising private funding residents and/or their next of kin that there are safeguarding concerns in their SHC home and have offered them advice and support."

'Working openly with police'

Sussex Health Care operates 20 care homes and care services.

In a statement issued by Sussex Health Care, the care provider said: ‘Sussex Health Care is working openly with the police and West Sussex County Council to support their current investigation. We are committed to assisting them in any way we can and positively await the conclusion and the outcome of the investigation.

‘Our priority at all times is to provide a high standard of care to every person we support. As a responsible provider, we have always invested in our staff and services to make sure we have the right resources available to provide that care. This is reflected in our Investors in People accreditation, by the respected experts in their field that we are proud to have as members of our clinical and care teams, and by the awards we have received from professional healthcare bodies over many years.

‘In the past month, we have invested further in our care team, bringing in an independent expert with decades of experience to provide direct support to the teams at our homes and services. We have written to residents and relatives and will continue to keep them up-to-date on progress.'

Referring to recent press coverage the provider added: ‘As a respected care provider with over 30 years of experience providing high quality care in Sussex, during which time we have supported over 30,000 people, we are immensely disappointed by the recent press coverage, which absolutely does not provide a fair reflection of the work that we are doing each and every day to support all the people we are privileged to care for.’