Five nurses suspended as home halts admissions

FIVE nurses have been suspended from a West Yorkshire nursing home that has been temporarily closed to new residents.

The move was confirmed yesterday in a statement from the Care Quality Commission, which regulates care homes, but no reasons were given for the action at the privately-owned Heath Bank Nursing home in Linden Road, Halifax.

Calderdale Council and NHS Calderdale have suspended admissions to the home which was inspected in June last year, and rated as "good". This followed a zero-star rating issued in December 2009, which had led to the temporary suspension of new admissions.

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In a statement, the CQC said yesterday it had carried out a review of the home in December and had asked owner Philip Bennett to make improvements "to comply with essential standards and ensure the welfare and safety of residents".

It added: "The commission is now satisfied that the home has taken appropriate action but it will continue to carefully monitor services provided by the home.

"We are also aware that five nurses from the home have been suspended following the review."

In a joint statement, Calderdale Council and NHS Calderdale said: "Both agencies have taken robust and decisive action to raise standards of care, eliminate risk and ensure the safety and well-being of all residents. We will work with the home to help it take the necessary action to improve standards of care both now and in the longer term."

No one at Heath Bank was yesterday prepared to comment. The home cares for 57 elderly residents including some with dementia.