Following the death of three Swanage care home residents from possible carbon monoxide poisoning, Dorset Police say they are investigating whether there were any actions or omissions which were grossly negligent.
On a sad day for the Swanage community, the ambulance service was called at 5.20 am on Wednesday 23rd October 2024 after three residents were found dead at the Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road, owned by the company Agincare.
Gainsborough Care Home was cordoned off by police while investigations continued
“We have made one arrest”
By the evening, a 60 year old local woman was arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and was taken into custody.
Detective chief inspector Neil Third, of the major crime investigation team, said:
“Our heartfelt thoughts and condolences are with the families and loved ones of those who tragically died and they are being supported by officers.
“As part of our investigation, we have made one arrest to enable us to establish whether there have been actions or omissions which are grossly negligent and gather as much information as we can about what has happened.
“It is important to note that the arrest process also provides certain legal protection to individuals and I would ask for the media and public to avoid speculating any further now that legal proceedings are active.”
Media organisations including the BBC, Sky and ITN all gathered in North Beach car park for a briefing
Dorset Police chief superintendant Heather Dixey, area manager for Dorset and Wiltshire Fire and Rescue Service Darren Langdown and South Western Ambulance Service tactical commander Susan Thomas all prepare for the media briefing
Possible carbon monoxide poisoning
Dorset Police say that the deaths are currently being treated as unexplained and have confirmed that possible carbon monoxide poisoning is the primary line of enquiry. They say there is nothing to indicate any current risk to the wider public.
Seven people were taken to hospital as a precaution – four to Poole Hospital and three to Dorset County Hospital in Dorchester. The rest of the residents – about 40 people – were initially taken to the nearby All Saints church.
People from nearby homes and those connected to the church, quickly helped to look after those in the church hall, with many of the care home residents, some with dementia, understandably upset and confused by the sudden early morning evacuation.
As the Gainsborough residents were being moved out of the care home, it started to rain and local people rushed to offer coats and umbrellas.
Once inside the church hall, temporary beds were brought in to make the elderly comfortable and a nearby care home provided food and refreshments.
During the day, care home residents were picked up by ambulance from All Saints church and transferred to a care home
Temporary beds were delivered to All Saints church for the comfort of the care home residents
Shortage of care home places
Social services worked hard all day to find suitable overnight accommodation but with few care home places available in Dorset it was a difficult task.
In 2021, Wordsworth Care Home in South Swanage closed after 16 residents died of Covid and in January 2024, the Old Rectory Care Home at nearby Langton Matravers was closed due to financial difficulties. Some of the residents of the Old Rectory were transferred to Gainsborough.
By the end of a difficult day, Dorset Council was able to confirm that all residents from Gainsborough who had been housed temporarily in the All Saints church hall, had been taken either to other Agincare care homes, care homes in the Dorset Council area or the Bournemouth, Christchurch and Poole area or were in hospital.
The scene outside All Saints church on Redcliffe road
Fire, police, first responders and ambulance crews worked all day to ensure the safety of the vulnerable care home residents
“Our amazing emergency services”
Speaking that evening, Swanage town mayor Tina Foster said:
“On behalf of Swanage Town Council, I send my condolences to the families, friends and carers of those who passed away at Gainsborough Care Home earlier today.
“Our thoughts are with all of those affected by this incident at this difficult time.
“I would like to pay particular tribute to our amazing emergency services who have responded so efficiently to today’s events.”
“Wellbeing of residents is always our overriding priority”
A spokesperson for Gainsborough Care Home said:
“An incident involving the care home took place this morning, and we have been closely working with the lead agencies to manage the welfare of all concerned.
“The wellbeing of residents is always our overriding priority, and part of the local business continuity plan was to transfer residents in a managed way to a local village hall and church, where they remain safe and well.
“We appreciate that this is a stressful and worrying time for those involved, and have allocated extra staffing resources to provide support locally. We are contacting and updating residents’ families.
“We will continue to work with the lead local authority services to return residents into their home at the earliest opportunity, and will provide further updates in due course.”
Emergency services give media briefing
Contact Dorset Police
Anyone with information is asked to contact Dorset Police at www.dorset.police.uk or by calling 101, quoting occurrence number 55240163072.
Alternatively, independent charity Crimestoppers can be contacted anonymously online at Crimestoppers-uk.org or by calling Freephone 0800 555 111.
