11 held over Nottingham care home inquiry into death of Ivy Atkin, 86

Eleven people have been arrested on suspicion of the manslaughter of an 86-year-old woman who died shortly after she was moved from a failing care home.

Ivy Atkin died on 22 November just after she had been moved out of Autumn Grange residential home in Sherwood Rise, Nottingham. The home closed following “serious concerns” about the standard of care provided.

An investigation by The Independent just under two weeks before Mrs Atkin died was told of evidence that residents were not being given adequate fluids and also of poor hygiene for people and equipment.

The closure also followed a Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection which raised concerns about fire safety and cleanliness.

Nottinghamshire Police said five men, aged between 37 and 77, and six women, aged between 19 and 52, had been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter. A spokesman said: “An investigation into the standard of care provided to residents at Autumn Grange is also under way and police are working closely with partner agencies to establish if any criminal offences took place.”

Problems started in October last year when police were called by council officials because of “serious concerns” about the standards of care. At the start of November 28 dementia residents were moved out. Then in a move described as “shocking” and “totally unacceptable” by the Care Services Minister Norman Lamb, the 52-bedded, privately owned residential home announced it would close within 48 hours.

An investigation is under way into the standards of care provided to residents at Autumn Grange. It involves the police, Nottingham City Council and the CQC.

A CQC spokesperson said: “[The] CQC would like to offer their sympathy to the family of the deceased.”