Two nursing homes face shut down in Dumfries

SEVENTY-FIVE elderly residents are facing being made homeless after the company that owns their nursing homes went into administration.

The Goldielea Care Home on Dumfries’ Dalbeattie Road and Annan Court Care Home in Annan, are part of the Aermid Group, which has suffered due to difficult economic conditions.

But a spokesman said a buyer is being sought for both premises.

Council officials also gave assurances that, if a sale is not achieved, it will support residents and families to move to “appropriate, alternative accommodation”.

A company called BDO, which is the administrator for the Aermid Group said the businesses within the group will continue to trade and all the care homes will remain open while they seek a purchaser.

There are no plans to make any redundancies at the care homes.

Shay Bannon, business restructuring partner, said: “The business suffered due to difficult economic conditions. However, our immediate priority is to reassure all residents and their families that we are committed to trading the businesses as going concerns and that the ongoing welfare of the residents is of paramount importance.

“We will be working closely with the local authorities, the Care Quality Commission and the staff to ensure that the standard of care at all of the homes is maintained.”

Goldielea currently has 47 residents. Manager Darren Irving said he was unable to comment on the future of the home this week.

Annan Court, which recently took in residents from Langshaw House in Kirktlebridge when it closed, has 28 beds filled.

A spokeswoman for Dumfries and Galloway Council said it will “continue to support the residents, relatives and care home mangers of both Annan Court and Goldielea Care Home while they are under administration.

“Social work staff have been in contact with all residents and their families to discuss the ongoing situation and will continue to do so.

“The council has been informed by Aermid Health Care administrators that they are still in the early stages of facilitating the sale of the care homes in the group. However they have stated there is a great deal of interest in the sale.

“Should a sale not be achieved, the council will support residents and families to move to appropriate, alternative accommodation.”