Four workers are suspended by Walsall care home

It comes after concerns were raised by colleagues about the level of care at Rushall Care Home, in Lichfield Road, Walsall.

Bosses at Four Seasons, the organisation that runs the home, which offers nursing and personal care for up to 34 people, today confirmed the suspensions pending the outcome of the investigations.

The home insisted the probe is in line with usual procedures.

A statement released by Four Seasons said: "When members of our care staff raised concerns with the home manager about the conduct of colleagues, the manager notified the relevant authorities so that the concerns could be appropriately investigated.

"Whilst we await the outcome of the investigations, four members of staff have been suspended in line with our normal procedure whenever a complaint is under investigation and nothing more should be read into this. The allegations mainly concern the conduct of these members of staff towards their colleagues and their standards of care provision.

"The wellbeing of the people in our care is our first priority and we have an active whistle-blowing policy that encourages staff, residents and their families to report any concerns and we always work with the relevant authorities to ensure they are rigorously investigated in a transparent manner.

"It would be inappropriate to comment further ahead of the outcome of the investigation."

Rushall and Shelfield councillor Richard Worrall said: "It is obviously worrying. We have to await the outcome and see whether there is any substance to the allegations."

An inspection was carried out by the Care Quality Commission in June and showed the home, also referred to as Rushall Care Centre, was reaching most standards.

However, it was highlighted that improvement was needed in the standards of treating people with respect and involving them in their care.

A message on the care home's website states that it is a modern, purpose-built home providing a high standard of care 24 hours a day.