Row breaks out over Leicester care home closure

A row has broken out over the closure of Leicester’s Fosse Court Care Home, with the owners claiming they were subject to “inappropriate pressure” by inspectors.

Central to the problems in the home has been last weeks arrest of four members of staff on suspicion of ill-treating residents.

All 21 residents have been moved out and a spokesman for Leicester City Council said: “We are moving residents out of Fosse Court because we are terminating our contract due to concerns about care quality.

“Residents are moving to a range of accommodation, including some council-run, some independent and some to places out of the county.

“We are doing our best to move residents in line with their choices and those of their relatives, as best we can given the short timescale.”

However, management at the home have accused the Council and the Care Quality Commission (CQC) of applying inappropriate pressure to the business following a recent inspection.

A spokewoman for Fosse Court said: “As a responsible care provider, we have taken the very difficult decision to close Fosse Court.

“We do not believe there is an alternative course of action due to the overreaction and inappropriate pressure applied to the home by Leicester City Council and the CQC, which 42 days ago found the home to be compliant with most of the regulations inspected.

“The high standards of care we demand cannot be delivered while the concerns raised are looked into and a police investigation is ongoing.

“We have not taken this decision lightly as the welfare of our residents is paramount but we firmly believe this is the right thing to do.

“The home remains registered with the CQC and decisions will be taken by the provider on the reconfiguration and future path of Fosse Court.

“The decision to close Fosse Court was solely that of the provider.”

The members of staff involved in the alleged abuse are all women aged 46, 47, 54 and 61, and remain on bail pending further inquiries.