AN investigation launched after a quarter of a care home's residents died in just one month has found no wrongdoing, it emerged today.In December ten residents of Howard Court in Burlington Road, Ipswich, died.

AN investigation launched after a quarter of a care home's residents died in just one month has found no wrongdoing, it emerged today.

In December ten residents of Howard Court in Burlington Road, Ipswich, died.

Normally the care home, which looks after 40 people with Alzheimer's and dementia, would expect four people to die in the four-week period.

Suffolk social services, the coroner's office, the police and the social care regulator, the Commission for Social Care and Inspection (CSCI), launched an investigation as a result but the review cleared the Bupa care home of any blame.

Oliver Thomas, regional director for Bupa Care Homes, said: “Howard Court cares for frail, older people at an average age of 84 years - the majority of whom suffer from dementia.

“Regrettably, the winter months can take their toll on the elderly. In this particular instance, a number of residents passed away during a short period.

“We monitor such occurrences ourselves and welcomed the involvement of Suffolk County Council and other agencies in carrying out appropriate further checks with us.

“This thorough review, which involved the police, adult social services, the local coroner's office and the regulator CSCI, found that there were no issues of concern surrounding any of the deaths.

“We would like to extend our deepest sympathies to the families of the residents who passed away. Our staff are dedicated to caring for often very frail older people and are deeply affected whenever a resident dies.”

A spokesman for the Suffolk Adult Safeguarding Board said: “We acted promptly to carry out thorough checks on all the deaths in that month of residents at the home. All the agencies are satisfied there are no grounds for concern, whatsoever. Bupa cooperated fully throughout.”

Did one of your loved ones die at Howard Court during December? Contact The Evening Star news desk on 01473 324788 or e-mail starnews@eveningstar.co.uk.