TWO members of staff at a Kent nursing home have been suspended and several others relieved of their duties following allegations of abuse.

Other staff at the Frank Lloyd Nursing Home in Bell Road, Sittingbourne, were told about the developments at a meeting called by Swale Primary Care Trust.

It was the trust that called in the Healthcare Commission to assess the quality of services at the NHS-run home which is next to Sittingbourne Memorial Hospital.

The trust immediately brought in a new management team as a result of the commission’s findings.

The assessment indicated some aspects of care in the home were below required standards, including the allegations of abuse which are being investigated.

Primary Care Trust chief executive Marion Dinwoodie said: "Our priority at this time is the well-being and safety of all residents and I am confident that this is in good hands with the new management team.

"We have been in touch with the residents’ relatives over the weekend and are keeping them as well-informed as possible."

A police spokesman said: "We are working with both the Primary Care Trust and the Healthcare Commission in relation to this matter. If any offences are disclosed we will take appropriate action and launch an investigation.

The home has recently been under the spotlight of the Swale Patient Public Involvement Forum, the local health watchdog.

Member Roy Stiles said: "We went in there earlier this year as PEAT - the Patient Environment Action Team. We thought there were areas of cleanliness that needed attention but were not aware of any allegations of abuse of residents.

"Residents were full of praise for the staff. I am pleased, though, that the primary care trust is taking action."

The Frank Lloyd Home opened 12 years ago and is named after the founder of Kemsley Mill near Sittingbourne.

It has 27 residents although 10 beds are currently empty. Patients are elderly with mental health problems such as Alzheimer’s Disease and Dementia.