AN INQUEST is set to look into the deaths of three residents of a North Yorkshire care home which has since been placed in special measures by a care inspection body.

Albert Pooley, James Metcalfe and Harry Kilvington all died in 2016 at Sowerby House care home in Sowerby, near Thirsk, promoting a joint investigation by North Yorkshire Police and the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The two-day inquest, on April 5 and 6 in Northallerton, will hear the outcome of the investigations, although police have confirmed it has been completed with no criminal charges.

The CQC branded the home inadequate after an unannounced inspection in October 2016, which lasted three days.

It found Sowerby House to be failing to provide proper levels of care in relation to nutrition and hydration, hygiene, and general standards of care.

The report said: “The concerns we identified related to a failure to meet people's basic care needs; lack of adequate food and fluid intake, an unexplained injury, medication errors, lack of appropriate risk management plans placing people at risk of harm.

“Risks to individuals on the nursing and residential units had not been adequately assessed and risk management plans were not in place.

"During our three day inspection we made 11 individual safeguarding referrals relating to a failure to meet people's basic care needs; lack of adequate food and fluid intake, an unexplained injury, medication errors, lack of appropriate risk management plans placing people at risk of harm.

“We saw one person required specialist dressings to treat their leg ulcers. The service had run out of these dressings which meant the person had not received the treatment they required to keep them safe.”

In February 2015 the home was rocked when resident David Paterson was murdered by local woman Heather Davidson, who had been a regular visitor of Mr Paterson.

A spokesperson for Sowerby House said: “The home is undergoing a complete transformation, with the support and involvement of residents, families and staff.

“The national shortage of nurses led to a decision to change the registration and the home now focuses on residential care. A new senior management team is in place and significant investment is underway. Feedback from stakeholders is very positive, we are confident our actions will satisfy the CQC that the home is a safe and caring environment. We are aware that inquests are scheduled, but do not expect safeguarding concerns to be raised."