Elsie Inglis Nursing Home in Edinburgh closes down

Elsie Inglis Nursing Home in Abbeyhill has closed down

An Edinburgh private nursing home, at the centre of a police investigation, has been forced to close down.

Elsie Inglis Nursing Home owners have volunteered to de-register the business after it became clear they would not meet a deadline of requirements.

Last week, a 59-year-old woman was taken to the city's Royal Infirmary after becoming unwell at the Peacock Medicare-owned-home in Abbeyhill.

She died two days later, prompting a police investigation.

Since the woman's death, inspectors have insisted on "urgent and immediate improvements" to its standards of care or it would face closure.

The home, also being investigated by Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland, had been given until the end of Friday to make improvements.

Edinburgh City Council said earlier this week residents had been moved to other nursing homes.

A 59-year-old woman died at Elsie Inglis Nursing Home last week

A Social Care and Social Work Improvement Scotland spokesman (SCSWIS) said it had "very serious concerns about the quality of care" at the home.

Earlier the SCSWIS had issued a notice that said if the home failed to make improvements to the way residents were helped with eating and drinking by the end of Friday, action would be taken.

A police spokesman said: "Lothian and Borders Police are working together with partner agencies to establish the circumstances around how the woman became unwell at the private nursing home she was residing in."

A Scottish government spokesman said: "It is essential that older people and their families have complete confidence in care homes.

"Investigations are ongoing into this case.

"We will undertake to keep parliament updated as appropriate."