A NORTH-EAST care home operator has hit back at damaging claims in a Sunday newspaper over the level of care at one of its homes.

Yesterday, Darlington-based Southern Cross Healthcare Group - the UK's biggest provider of nursing home beds - said it had thoroughly investigated allegations regarding care standards at the home.

A spokesman for the company said it was satisfied that the home, which falls under its Ashbourne Senior Living Homes brand, operates to a good standard, is caring and well-run.

The response follows an investigation by a Sunday Times reporter posing as a care assistant at the Arden Valley Christian Nursing Home, in Solihull, West Midlands.

The reporter claimed to find evidence that the company breached rules on manually moving residents, fed them cold food and cut corners. She also claimed to have found evidence of poor hygiene.

In a full response on the London Stock Exchange, Southern Cross stressed it was a reputable care provider that aimed to offer residents at its portfolio of more than 700 care homes across the UK a safe, caring and relaxing environment.

The spokesman said: "Based on the limited evidence that has been made available to the company by the Sunday Times, Southern Cross has undertaken a thorough investigation of the issues raised and is satisfied that the home operates to a good standard, is caring and well-run.

"Southern Cross has restated its company policies to all staff to ensure that the company continues to provide the right environment for the care of older people."

Southern Cross, which employs more than 41,000 people, published a full rebuttal of the allegations on its website, alongside a video interview with its chief executive, Philip Scott.

He said: "We have taken these allegations very seriously. We have spent significant time and resources reviewing each of those allegations in turn.

"We believe that we have very robust systems in place, that if followed will ensure that we deliver services to a very good standard. We think our staff are very committed people."

The firm was sold off at a huge profit by Blackstone, a US private equity group, earlier this year.

It has been highly successful since floating on the stock exchange last year.

In the financial year to September 30, the company acquired Avery Healthcare for £96.5m, and increased bed capacity by 25 per cent. It also added 132 homes and 7,298 beds to its portfolio by acquisitions, management agreements and opening homes. It expects to have a further 1,200 beds next year.

Bill Colvin, non-executive chairman, will become chief executive on January 1, replacing Mr Scott.