AN ENQUIRY has been launched at a Hemel Hempstead care home.
New admissions have been halted at the Alexandra Nursing Home while a 'review of some procedures' takes place.
Mystery surrounds exactly why the review is taking place but the home has been criticised by inspectors in the past.
The care home, in Alexandra Road, looks after 76 elderly people including 26 people who suffer with dementia.
The ban on admissions has been imposed by social services at Herts County Council.
"We can confirm we are not putting forward any new admissions to the care home," a spokesman said.
Meanwhile the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) will carry out an unannounced inspection and will release a report on its findings.
Last Friday (April 25) a spokesman for Southern Cross Care Homes, which owns the home, said the ban had been in place for two weeks.
He said: "The management is working with social services, which has put a block on new admissions while they carry out a review of some procedures.
"Hopefully the embargo will be lifted within the week."
Following an inspection by CSCI last October the care home was found to be below standard in nine out of 24 areas and was particularly weak at providing suitable care for its clients with dementia.
The report said concerns were raised by residents at the way they were required to get up or go to bed earlier than they would like.
One woman was woken, washed and dressed at 5.30am and was still waiting for her breakfast at 7.50am.
The report said there was evidence the operational requirements of the home and convenience of the care staff was given unreasonable priority over the wishes and preferences of the people living there.
The care home was given until the end of last year to complete seven jobs to bring it up to the national minimum standard.
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