Deaths at the Abbotswood care home are to be probed by police.

Registration & Inspection and safeguarding investigations into the running of Abbotswood Nursing Home have been temporarily suspended by the Department of Health and Social Care.

Externally appointed investigators working as part of the R&I investigation, commissioned by the department, have recommended referral to the Manx Constabulary for consideration as to whether potential offences have been committed.

In the meantime, all investigations led by DHSC that had been under way at Abbotswood have been halted. 

A total of 20 Abbotswood residents died following an outbreak of coronavirus at the home.At the height of the virus’s spread, 47 out of 52 residents contracted Covid-19.The DHSC took over the running of the home after its licence was suspended. Remaining residents were subsequently moved out of the home.