Patients moved after nurse shortage closes care home

Eight elderly patients have been moved after a decision to temporarily close a care home on the Isle of Man due to a “critical” nurse shortage.

The government said the Gansey unit at Southlands Resource centre in Port Erin will close for at least a month.

Eight residents have been transferred to another specialist unit in Farmhill, Douglas, until more staff can be found.

Assistant director of adult services Cath Hayhow said the decision was down to safety and not finance.

She added: “The staffing levels are now critical and it is no longer safe to provide this service, we simply have no choice at the moment.

‘Not ideal’

“We are advertising, we are interviewing and we are also working with agencies off-island to find suitably qualified staff.”

The eight residents, all described as vulnerable, have been moved together accompanied by the members of staff they are familiar with.

The department of social care said a recruitment campaign had begun and a decision would be made in September about the reopening of the Gansey unit.

He added: “The reopening of the Gansey unit at Southlands remains a top priority for the department.”