55 redundances as care home announces closure

A care home has announced it is closing just three weeks after being told it needed to improve standards by the Care Quality Commission.

The Priory Group, who owns Merseybank Care Home, in Glossop, Derbyshire, said it will shut on May 10, making 55 people redundant and leaving 33 residents homeless.

The news came after the 66-bed home failed to meet standards required by the independent regulator in their unannounced inspection in December.

At the previous inspection in October, the commission identified areas of concern with medicine management, in particular with ensuring that medicines were available to give to people. This resulted in the service receiving a warning notice.

Derbyshire County Cllr Damien Greenhalgh said: “It’s a crying shame that the company couldn’t make the investment in the people of Hadfield and Glossop and those whose workplace and home this has become.

“This closure is truly awful for all those involved. Many of the home’s residents are frail and elderly and are now going to be moved which will be very traumatic for them and their nearest and dearest.

“A lot of these people have lived in Hadfield and Glossop all their lives and now they could end up being moved elsewhere. I am just thankful that the council’s wonderful Talbot Street based adult social care team is doing a great job in difficult circumstances to help re-home residents and offer advice and support to their relatives and the staff, with many going above and beyond the call of duty.”

A spokesperson for Merseybank said: “This has not been an easy decision to make but the home is in a listed building and requires an unviable amount of investment to bring it up to the standards demanded by the regulators. The residents, their families, and our employees were told of the closure at the earliest possible opportunity. We will be working with residents to help find alternative homes and supporting staff in helping them find alternative employment.”