HELEN and Douglas House founder Sister Frances Dominica has been told not to return to the hospices following allegations of historic sexual abuse, it was confirmed today.

Sister Frances – given an OBE in 2006 for her services to healthcare 25 years after founding Helen House, the world's first hospice for children – "wholly" denies claims two women were abused between 1980 and 2000 and the police have halted their investigation.

But today, Helen and Douglas House said it was implementing recommendations of an independent risk assessment report it commissioned along with the All Saints Sisters of the Poor and that Sister Frances would not be returning to the organisation.

The allegations do not relate to any patient or staff member from Helen and Douglas House.

The claims first emerged two years ago and Sister Frances was asked to step aside as a hospice trustee and volunteer while the investigation was carried out.

Police spokeswoman Connie Primmer said: "Thames Valley Police received allegations of indecent assault which took place in Oxford in the 1970s.

"The offences were reported to police in July 2013 by a third party and subsequent investigation identified two female victims.

"A 71-year-old woman was arrested in connection with the investigation in November 2013, on suspicion of indecent assault on a woman over 16 years of age.

"A decision was made by the Crown Prosecution Service not to charge her and she was released in July 2014. There is currently no live investigation ongoing."

A Helen and Douglas House spokeswoman added: "As soon as the allegations were raised in July 2013, Sister Frances agreed at our request to step away from all activity at Helen & Douglas House. Sister Frances denies all allegations.

"We can confirm that Sister Frances will not return to Helen & Douglas House. The trustees of Helen & Douglas House decided to implement the recommendations of an independent risk assessment report, after careful discussion and analysis."

Helen and Douglas House, in Magdalen Road, East Oxford, says it is unable to make the specific recommendations or the risk assessment public.

The spokeswoman added: "We wish to reiterate that no allegations contained within the report relate in any way to activity at Helen & Douglas House.

"We have written to families informing them of our decision and will now continue to focus on what is and has always been our priority: providing the specialist care and support to children, young adults and their families."

Sister Frances' lawyer Lee Fisher said: "The position she has taken is not to return today and that position is still under consideration.

"[Helen and Douglas House] has been in touch with her and she has not yet responded."

"In terms of the allegations made, they are wholly refuted. The police investigation did not find there was any case to answer and she does not want to comment on any ongoing issues.

"She has nothing else to say except that she remains committed to the charity."

Police have not released any further details about the allegations.

She was Mother Superior of the All Saints Sisters of the Poor for 12 years and community leader Jean Raphael said: "The Sisters of the Society of All Saints Sisters of the Poor have worked with the relevant statutory bodies since the issue was first raised, and co-operated with the police during their investigation.

"An independent risk assessment has recently been completed and the conclusions are being considered carefully by the Sisters. The Sisters take the issue of safeguarding very seriously."

  • Editor's note: This story has been amended following a police admission that its original statement the allegations related to the 1970s was incorrect and the period in question was 1980 to 2000.