SUSPICIOUS care workers at a home where a 96-year-old woman is believed to have been murdered blew the whistle over her death as they thought she may have been assaulted.

Staff at Abbey House Nursing Home in Netley Abbey raised the issue with police and a murder investigation has since been launched.

Abbey House Nursing Home, in Netley Abbey, has confirmed that staff became concerned that Ethel Baldwin may have been assaulted two weeks before her death.

The home also paid tribute to the 96-year-old, who had moved to the home around two years ago for palliative care, describing her as a “much-loved” resident who had been a “pleasure” to look after.

A spokesperson said that the actions taken by staff were in line with the home's “no tolerance” policy towards abuse and is exactly how they are trained to react when there are concerns about the care of residents.

As previously reported, police have launched a murder investigation into her death, which happened at the home in Abbey Hill, on Saturday.

A post mortem took place on Tuesday but the results of that have not been released by police.

Specialist liaison officers are supporting the pensioner's family and have been working with the care home to establish the circumstances of her death.

In a statement, the home said that they had notified both the safeguarding authority and the police as soon as managers and care staff became aware on August 29 that one of its residents “may have been assaulted.

A spokesperson added: “Members of our care team responded exactly as they are trained to do by bringing their suspicions immediately to the attention of the manager, who in turn lost no time in informing the relevant outside bodies, including the police.

“We have since been cooperating fully with the police in their investigation into the incident. Sadly, Ethel passed away on September 13. We extend our sincere condolences to her family.

“Today, we have been informed by the police of an arrest in connection with the incident. Any further information or comment about that is a matter for the police and we must respect the process and avoid prejudicing its outcome.

“We shall, of course, continue to provide whatever information and assistance the police may require in continuing their investigation.”

The home has since met with the Care Quality Commission, Hampshire County Council and Hampshire police to discuss the case in detail.

The spokesperson added: “It is our understanding that all the parties involved consider this to have been an isolated incident that does not reflect an underlying problem at the nursing home.

“Clearly, our priority now must be to provide reassurance to our other residents and their families.”

A 36-year-old woman was arrested today on suspicion of murder and is helping police with their enquiries.