New Hope For Elderly As Care Home Owner Offers Free Two-Month Lease

THE owner of a nursing home facing closure has offered to lease it to the council free of charge to make sure the elderly residents do not have to move.

Cockenzie House Nursing Home had been expected to shut its doors next weekend as its manager said restrictions on new admissions meant he could no longer afford to pay staff.

As reported in the Evening News last month, there were fears the upheaval could prove too much for some of the residents.

Relatives also fear 37 residents could have nowhere to go. East Lothian Council is currently refurbishing Greenfield Park, a nursing home in Musselburgh, but work is not due to be completed until March 20.

Now Cockenzie House owner James McDonald has offered the council free use of the home for the next two months. The council is understood to be considering this offer.

In a letter to the council’s chief executive, Alan Blackie, he wrote: “I do not wish my residents to go to a hospital ward that is rightly meant for other people, and then will probably have to move again. That would be inhumane.

“To prevent this I offer East Lothian Council the use of Cockenzie House Nursing Home free of charge until more suitable arrangements can be made.”

He added: “Unfortunately their contingency plans are in disarray. Greenfield Park will not be ready in time. Some residents would effectively have two moves. I’ve offered to keep the home open for another two months to dig them out of a hole.

“They could stay here till May. If the Care Commission were to lift the ban, they may not need to be moved at all.”

Mr McDonald has previously rejected a council offer to buy the premises at a price to be fixed by the district valuer.

A ban was imposed on new admissions at the home after a damning report by the Care Commission. They said that Cockenzie House has failed to meet acceptable standards, including poor hygiene and infection control.

They have recently completed a further inspection of the home, and are expected to produce a final report this week.

But East Lothian Council is currently trying to find alternative accommodation for most of the 37 remaining residents.

It is understood that 21 of them have expressed preferences for being moved to Greenfield Park. Another two could be cared for in Belhaven Hospital, in Dunbar.

A council spokeswoman said: “We’re still working towards the home closing on March 31. Some residents have already moved to alternative accommodation.

“Greenfield Park is progressing extremely well. Extensive renovations are ongoing and every room is being redecorated.We’re aiming to finish by March 20.

“In Belhaven Hospital, there’s a variety of care provided. NHS Lothian has offered two individuals who have a connection with Dunbar possible accommodation in a long-term care ward.”

But relatives and community leaders have warned that moving residents could have a serious effect on their health.

Jim Elder, of Musselburgh, whose 87-year-old aunt Sarah is in the home, said: “I think there’s every chance her health will suffer if she moves. You wouldn’t treat an animal the way my aunt Sarah’s being treated.”