Police investigation into Wolverhampton care home 'abuse' closed
Police have closed an investigation into a care home after finding no evidence of abuse.
Oaks Court House in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, was subject to an investigation following the death of an elderly resident, who it was alleged had been attacked.
Detectives were unable to corroborate those allegations but a wider probe was launched into the home after concerns were raised.
West Midlands Police said a "thorough investigation" was carried out but no issues were raised by staff or patients when spoken to by officers and no victims of abuse were identified.
The death of the 83-year-old woman led to an inspection by regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC), which unearthed a series of major failings last year.
They included fire safety failings and not ensuring residents were protected from the risk of falls and other accidents. The CQC said "people had been placed at significant risk of harm".
Mystery surrounded the woman's death, with police saying there were "no witnesses, no CCTV, no forensic evidence and ultimately no evidence to corroborate an assault", with the case passed to the coroner.
And the force has now confirmed its investigation into the care home, on Oaks Crescent, has closed.
A spokesman said: "Detectives investigating an allegation of neglect and abuse at a care home in Chapel Ash, Wolverhampton, made last July, have carried out a thorough investigation.
"As part of this, we’ve spoken to patients and staff and no concerns were raised.
"No victims, or evidence of any abuse have been identified, so we have closed our investigation.
"Support is being offered to the care home via our partner agencies. We appreciate people raising concerns and will always investigate these matters fully."
When contacted by the Express & Star, the home's current manager said she was not in charge when the allegations were made and declined to comment further.
Oaks Court was given the worst possible rating of inadequate overall in March 2020 and ratings of inadequate for being safe and well-led. It got requires improvement ratings for being effective, caring and responsive.
It was rated as requires improvement following a further inspection in September, which found people's experiences of care had improved.
Fire doors were propped open, while evacuation and fire risk assessment plans were "inadequate".
