Care group talks of 'unwavering' care amid police probe into 12 care home deaths

A police investigation into the deaths of 12 people at nine care homes run by Sussex Health Care, has led the care provider to stress that its “commitment to high quality care is unwavering”.

Sussex Police are pursuing an ongoing investigation into nine of the group’s care homes amid allegations of care failures concerning 43 people, which recently led to the arrest of a woman on suspicion of neglect and fraud on 9 November and her subsequent release the same day.

In response to the arrest and ongoing investigation, Sussex Health Care, which operates 20 care homes, released the following statement on 10 November:

“As you know, the police are currently carrying out an investigation into concerns about care provided to 43 people at nine homes and services run by the care provider. Yesterday (9th November), an individual was arrested in connection with that investigation. The person arrested has since been released.

"We are not able to comment on the arrest at this time, but I want to reassure you that the management team at Sussex Health Care is absolutely committed to continuing to work with the police to assist them and to bring these cases to a conclusion in due course.

"Our priority at all times is to provide the highest quality care and support for every single person we are responsible for. Sussex Health Care is a long- established organisation, with an excellent track record of providing high quality care. Over the 30 years we have been working in the area we have supported over 30,000 people and, in that time, we have received very positive feedback from countless families about the good quality care their loved ones have received.

'Unwavering’ care

“I know that recent press coverage will have caused concern, but I assure you that our commitment to high quality care is unwavering. Just this week, one of our homes, Beech Lodge in Horsham, has received a very positive report from the national care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC). The report gives the home a 'Good' rating, and highlights the positive care provision at the home.”

The police launched its investigation this summer into: Orchard Lodge, Longfield Manor, The Laurels, Kingsmead Lodge, Beech Lodge, Beechcroft Care Centre, Rapkyns Care Centre, Rapkyns Nursing Home and Woodhurst Lodge. The police probe has led West Sussex County Council to stop sending people to the care homes.

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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Liberal Democrat former care minister Norman Lamb has promised to write to the health secretary Jeremy Hunt urging him to investigate why warnings at the care homes were not acted on, arguing the loved ones of those who had died deserved to know whether earlier safeguarding action could have saved lives.