Ringwood care home could close after immigration raid (From Bournemouth Echo)

Ringwood care home could close after immigration raid

2:00pm Saturday 31st July 2010 in

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A care home near Ringwood could be forced to shut after a UK Border Agency dawn raid which led to 11 alleged illegal immigrants being detained and another four staff being arrested by police on suspicion of neglect.

Linford Park Nursing Home in the New Forest near Poulner has more than 100 beds but only 33 of the 36 registered service users were in residence when the UK Border Agency officers pounced early on Thursday.

Hampshire County Council, which is responsible for Adult Social Care, moved out some of the most vulnerable service users to alternative accommodation and, yesterday, was in discussion with families and other agencies about the relocation of the remaining elderly residents. In the meantime, emergency care staff were drafted in.

A Home Office spokesman said the UK Border Agency spokesman said 13 people were arrested. Two were dealt with immediately and released on bail while the others were detained.

“The 11 comprise of eight females from Ghana, Malawi and the Philippines and three males from Ghana and the Philippines,” said the spokesman.

Linford Park is owned by Northdown Estates Ltd, whose property director is Margaret Jordan, 61.

During the raid the standard of care given to one resident was questioned, which led to police arresting Mrs Jordan, 61, 78-year-old Matthew Joseph, both of London and a 62-year-old man from Christchurch on suspicion of neglect. They were later released on bail.

A 47-year-old man from Ringwood was arrested and questioned yesterday.

Hampshire county councillor Felicity Hindson described it as “an unprecedented situation”.

“We know that moving frail, vulnerable people can be very distressing for them. It is always a last resort for us but our overriding concern is for their care and protection at all times,” she said.

A Care Quality Commission spokesman said the organisation is reviewing the evidence with other agencies before deciding whether to take any enforcement proceedings.