Social Services Step In At Nursing Home

Cornwall Social Services were this week preparing to move residents out of Penhellis Nursing Home at Helston (pictured above).The future for all 27 permanent residents and 40 staff is hanging in the balance as the home faces imminent closure.

The news has come as a shock to staff and residents, many of whom have been there for years. Social services have arranged that the home will remain open until the residents have been moved to other care establishments.

Wendy Doel, manager of the home, said: “We don’t know what will happen. Some private residents are refusing to leave. Our only hope is that a buyer for the home can be found. Staff and residents want to stay here because it’s a lovely home. All it needs is for someone to buy it and treat it with the respect it deserves.”

Doubts over the home’s future were first highlighted by The West Briton in November. There was talk then of a possible purchase but that deal fell through. An appeal by the company that owns the home against the cancellation of its registration got underway in London this week and an insolvency hearing is due to take place next week.

The residents at Penhellis have received hand delivered letters signed by Jane Nicholas, general manager at the county council’s department of adult social care, informing them of the position.

It states that due to financial difficulties the home “is currently unable to guarantee the required standard of care and so it will not be possible for you to continue to reside and receive your care at Penhellis. We recognise and understand that receiving this news will not be easy and we will support you by undertaking a further assessment and helping with your move to another care home.”

Mrs Doel said social services had paid the staff the wages owing to them. “Everyone has been brilliant and morale has been pretty good, considering. What we hope will happen is that administrators will move in and sell the home.”

A statement issued by social services confirmed it was making arrangements for the residents it funds to transfer to alternative homes:

“All residents and carers will be fully involved and consulted during the process and the department will be sustaining the home until the residents it funds have been found alternative appropriate accommodation. The department appreciates that this news will have come as a shock and will be providing support and help to everyone involved.”