Arrests over suspected ill-treatment at Southern Cross home

Two current or former staff at a Southern Cross nursing home have been arrested and bailed on suspicion of ill-treating or neglecting residents.

The arrests follow the launch of a safeguarding inquiry at Orchid View, a home in Copthorne, Crawley, West Sussex.

Sussex Police said a 48-year-old man from Burgess Hill was arrested on Monday on suspicion of ill-treatment and neglect contrary to the Mental Health Act 2007 and the Mental Capacity Act 2005.

A 54-year-old woman from Godstone was arrested on the same charges last week.

Police would not confirm whether either was still employed at the home.

West Sussex Council said it was speaking to residents – and their families – about letting them move to another care home.

The Care Quality Commission inspected the home in June and found it did not comply with six of seven essential standards assessed. It found that there were too few staff, some of them had too little training or supervision and that residents were not always treated with respect or consideration.

A spokesperson for Southern Cross said the provider was “co-operating fully” with the council and police investigation and its priority was the quality of care for residents.

The running of Orchid View is due to transfer to Care UK at the end of this month.

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