Anxious time for Dundee care home residents

Vulnerable residents of a closure earmarked Dundee care home were facing an anxious wait today to find out where and when they will be re-housed (writes Graham Huband).

The 30 occupants of Camperdown Care Home — all of whom suffer from conditions such as brain trauma, spinal injuries and neurological disorders — are facing huge upheaval over the next couple of months as they are transferred to new care facilities in the city.

It is extremely unlikely the group will be able to be re-housed together elsewhere in Dundee so the closure will mean the end to long-term friendships between residents and the breaking of important bonds built up with staff members.

Social services in Dundee were today beginning the uphill task of finding alternate accommodation. It is understood assessments of the care requirements of each resident will have to be carried out prior to a new facility being found for them.

It is not known whether Four Seasons — which is heavily in debt and is shutting Camperdown because of the costs of upgrading the home to modern care standards — will be able to offer alternate accommodation to residents within its wider care estate in Tayside.

A spokesperson for Four Seasons today said the company would be in close contact with Dundee City Council and the Care Commission over the re-housing of residents.

She said, “It is with regret we have taken the very difficult decision to close Camperdown.

“It has become increasingly clear that delivering a service which is fit for the future care provision for our current client group is impossible given the physical constraints of the current premises.”

The Care Commission — which in November dubbed the quality of care and support, environment, staffing and management and leadership at Camperdown as “weak” — today said it would be helping in the resettlement process but said it still expected Four Seasons to make improvements at the home in the interim period before closure.

A spokesperson said, “We are aware of the provider’s intention to close and we have agreed to a closing date of 25 July in the best long-term interests of the people using the service. However, our improvement notice still remains in place and we will continue to monitor and regulate the service between now and closure.”

A Dundee City Council spokesperson added, “The social work department will be working with the company to secure alternative accommodation arrangements for the residents.”