Following a major incident at the Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, Dorset, which left it closed for more than two months, some residents have returned to the home.
Agincare, the company which owns the care home says that all the agencies involved including Dorset Council and the Care Quality Commission have agreed that it is safe to reopen the home which closed in October 2024.
Emergency services including the police, ambulance and fire service, all responded to the incident at the Swanage care home in October 2024
About 16 residents have returned
About 40 residents were moved out of the care home at the time. It’s understood that about 16 residents have returned since Monday 6th January 2025.
Sadly, at least one resident has since died after being transferred to another care home and others have not moved back in.
After the temporary closure of the care home, staff were mainly redeployed to other care homes, but most are now returning, having also experienced a difficult and uncertain time.
The lights are now back on at Gainsborough Care Home in Ulwell Road
Deaths still unexplained
It all started when emergency services were called to the care home in Ulwell Road on Wednesday 23rd October 2024, after two men aged 74 and 91 and an 86 year old woman were found to have died overnight.
At the time, there was no immediate, obvious cause of death of the three residents, so the care home was evacuated and the residents moved to the nearby hall at All Saints Church. During the day, the residents were transported to other care homes, some many hours away from their families.
At a news conference that afternoon, Dorset Police said the deaths were being treated as unexplained and that possible carbon monoxide poisoning was the primary line of enquiry.
The cause or causes of death of the three residents has still not been established. Dorset Police say they are awaiting results from detailed forensic submissions and analysis to assist them in establishing the causes of the deaths, which may take several months. This means that the Dorset Coroner has yet to open an inquest into the deaths.
The care home is an important part of the community in Swanage
“Thank everyone for their valuable support during this difficult time”
A spokesperson for Agincore said:
“All agencies involved, including Dorset Council, the Care Quality Commission, and Public and Environmental Health Services, have agreed that residents can safely return to Gainsborough Care Home in Swanage, following the conclusion of health, safety and environmental checks.
“We continue to communicate and work closely with residents and their families, and the return of residents will be carefully managed, with their welfare being a priority.
“The home has been a core part of Swanage for many years and we would like to thank everyone for their valuable support during this difficult time. Our thoughts remain with all residents, families and team members affected.
“We are still unable to give any more information on the cause of deaths and the major incident of the 23rd of October until the police and coroner investigations are completed.
“They advise that this could take several more months. We request privacy and understanding for those returning to the home at what remains a sensitive time.”
