An incident at a care home in Swanage, Dorset has resulted in three deaths and four hospitalizations. Emergency services were called to Gainsborough Care Home in the early hours of Wednesday. The deceased have yet to be named, but authorities are treating the case as “unexplained.” All residents of the building, which is run by Agincare, have been evacuated to a nearby church hall; some will be temporarily transferred to other care homes in the area.
Agincare has released a statement assuring the safety of its residents. The company has allocated “extra staffing resources” to provide support and updates for those affected by the incident. “We are working with the lead local authority services to return residents into their home at the earliest opportunity,” said Agincare’s statement. The company’s other care homes in the area will accommodate some of those evacuated, with other providers also being asked to help.
Investigations are ongoing to determine the cause of the incident. “Gas or carbon monoxide” have been suggested, but not confirmed. A Hazardous Area Response Team crew was sent along with ten ambulances. Investigations have added urgency due to the vulnerable state of the residents, with many needing immediate care for conditions including dementia and mobility issues.
Dorset Councillor, Gary Suttle expresses concern for the community, “it is vital that we get to the bottom of what has happened and that the families receive the support they require.” Dorset South MP Lloyd Hatton echoed this sentiment, saying “it was really important to give the emergency services space to carry out their inquiries.”
The Care Quality Commission rated Gainsborough Care Home as “Good” in 2021. The authorities will release updates on the situation as more details become available
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