Police probe two nursing home deaths

The deaths of two elderly women on the same day at a nursing home in northern NSW are being treated as suspicious, police say.

The women, aged 77 and 82, were found unconscious in their beds just before noon on May 10 at a Ballina nursing home.

A NSW state crime command spokesman said detectives from the Homicide Squad and Richmond local area command were investigating.

St Andrews Village nursing home chief executive Pip Carter confirmed to local paper The Northern Star that a police investigation was under way into the two deaths.

A police spokesman told AAP a member of staff had found the women unconscious in their beds.

"Both women were pronounced dead prior to the arrival of emergency services," he said.

"Given the unexpected nature of both deaths, police are conducting an investigation on behalf of the coroner."

Police are urging anyone with information that may be relevant to the investigation to phone Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.