A CARE home has been told to improve after it failed to tell a Government watchdog that half of its residents had died and the heating had broken.

The Commission for Social Care Inspection launched a probe into the Crown Care Home in Harwell, near Didcot, after eight pensioners died from chest-related illnesses between January 9 and 25.

The home’s owner, Southern Cross Healthcare, said the heating broke down on Boxing Day and was not fixed until January 5.

Following an investigation, the CSCI, which oversees adult social care, discovered staff had failed to inform them of the problems.

It has issued the 16-bed home with a requirement notice, which means it must improve within 48 hours or within a set timescale. It is the first of four steps it can take when care providers breach regulations.

A spokesman for the care home said: “Management at the home posted out full documentation to CSCI (though) over the festive period delivery was somewhat slower.

“A new representative from CSCI also visited the home during this period and documentation was handed over in person. However, we have since learned that this was not the correct procedure.

“We are aware that there is no issue concerning the level of care provided during this period.”