SCARE HOME PROBE

Police investigations team grilling staff of facility over high death toll

- ANNIE BROWN

POLICE have launched a high-level probe at a care home where 22 elderly residents died of Covid.

Police Scotland's Major Investigations Team has been grilling staff after swooping on the Fullarton Care Home in Irvine, Ayrshire, which had one of the highest death tolls in the pandemic.

The home was criticised at the height of the pandemic by watchdogs for being dirty with poor infection control.

Police are now interviewing management, staff and families of residents to establish if any deaths could result in criminal proceedings. Police confirmed the move at Fullarton Care Home.

Assistant Chief Constable Bex Smith said: "We understand how upsetting and difficult this is for the many families who lost loved ones as a result of the Covid pandemic.

"Police Scotland is supporting the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) review into deaths in care homes.

"While we continue to gather information, a number of investigations have now commenced at the request of COPFS. As the investigations are ongoing, it would be inappropriate to comment further.

One former care worker from the home said she welcomed the investigation.

She said: "Working in the home was hell. The loss of so many residents was so awful and their families were heartbroken.