Abbotswood: Police say interview contains 'no new factual information'

Isle of Man Constabulary responds to claims made by former director

Police say they will speak to the former boss of Abbotswood Nursing Home over allegations she’s made in an interview about her experience of the Covid-19 pandemic.

Zandra Lewis’s one-hour video, with the Manx Peoples Community Support group, has been watched by almost 4,000 people.

In it the former director, and registered nurse, of the Ballasalla facility details what happened, from her perspective, during the outbreak of Coronavirus in 2020.

In April that year the Department of Health and Social Care suspended her licence to operate and took over the running of the home.

Twenty Abbotswood residents died from Covid-19 during 2020 - 18 at the home and two in Noble's Hospital.

In the video, published via Bitchute, Ms Lewis disputes that there was reason for her licence to be revoked and makes a number of allegations relating to the DHSC’s intervention.

A joint investigation by police and the health and safety inspectorate was started in April 2020 after officers were alerted to concerns in respect of the condition of the facility.

Two months later they were supplied with information which indicated there may be criminal offences which needed investigation – a detailed probe into these started in July that year.

The following year, in June 2021, the Isle of Man Constabulary confirmed that no criminal charges would be brought against any individual or company.

In response to Ms Lewis’ interview the Isle of Man Constabulary told Manx Radio the ‘broad outline of the allegations’ was known to the original investigation team.

It says the interview contains ‘no new factual information’ and the available evidence in the case was reviewed by independent legal counsel at the conclusion of the joint investigation.

Ms Lewis, the constabulary adds, subsequently accepted a caution for several breaches of health and safety regulations.

The constabulary says it will make contact with Ms Lewis to ascertain whether she has any new evidence which was not considered by the official enquiry.

It says it will not be providing further comment at this time.