Police and social services have begun an investigation into a private care home after moving out 33 frail and elderly residents “for their own protection”.

Rotherham council has suspended all further placements to Highfield Nursing Home in North Anston and found new homes for its residents around the South Yorkshire borough. The action was triggered after a resident was admitted to hospital. Medical staff were so concerned about the condition of the patient that they contacted social services at the council.

A safeguarding adults investigation at the local authority will examine “serious concerns over management and care standards”.

Police confirmed that they were investigating all sides of the home’s management, including “potential neglect and financial aspects”.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has also been involved, although there is no move yet for the home’s deregistration. The home was inspected by CSCI last November and judged to be run well. The local authority said that it had also held informal inspections in recent months.

Last night Darren Hughes, a Rotherham councillor, questioned whether a closer eye should have been kept on the home. “It is unacceptable that there is no way of the council internally measuring on a formal and regular basis the level of care offered by these private homes. I feel that my constituents deserve better,” he said.

The home has capacity for 43 residents and primarily cares for elderly residents with Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-related conditions. Weekly charges start at £343.

A spokeswoman for the local authority said that all the correct steps had been taken to ensure the safety of the residents, and added: “The management of the home has been cooperating fully with the council on this matter.” Highfield refused to comment.

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