The Alton Centre care home, in Knuston Spinney, Wellingborough, Northamptonshire, was closed last month by the Commission for Social Care Inspections (CSCI) after serious concerns emerged about the safety and welfare of its residents.

Active Care Partnership Ltd, a subsidiary of the Southern Cross Healthcare Group PLC which runs the home, appealed against its closure in a hearing this week.

On Friday the Care Standards Tribunal ruled the appeal would stand and the urgent order obtained from magistrates by CSCI would cease to have effect.

A spokesman for the centre said: "Following the successful outcome of the appeal, which confirms the professional care we have always maintained is delivered by our staff at The Alton Centre, we can now continue to focus on the care delivery for our residents.

"The health and safety of our residents is our main priority and we take our responsibilities as a care provider very seriously and are always looking to improve standards where possible.

"We will work in partnership with the local authority and the regulator in continuing to move the service forward."

CSCI inspectors went to the home on August 6 after concerns were raised about certain areas, including the sudden death of a resident on July 15.

At the spot-check they looked into concerns about nutrition and hydration, wound care and the management of medication and medical conditions.

A second patient died at the centre that very same night.

The next day, inspectors sought an urgent court order from magistrates to cancel the home's registration.

Active Care Partnership Ltd applied to the High Court to overturn the order but it was refused on August 14 by His Honour Judge Ousley.

A CSCI spokesman said although the urgent order had been overturned, the tribunal had placed stringent conditions on Active Care Partnership.

They include extra care and nursing staff and specialist staff over the next six months, limiting the number of residents to 19 over the next six months, and frequent inspections by CSCI.

CSCI's Regional Director for the East, Norwyn Cole, said: "We welcome the fact that the tribunal has imposed stringent conditions on the Active Care Partnership which are designed to safeguard this very vulnerable group of people.

"This acknowledges that there was a serious risk to the residents.

"The commission will closely monitor and inspect the home on a frequent basis."