Scottish care home company in administration

Administrators for two Scottish nursing homes are looking for buyers for the businesses, as their elderly residents begin searches for new homes, after the company behind the homes went into administration.

The Aermid Group – which owns the Goldielea Care Home in Dumfries and the Annan Court Care Home in Annan – called in administrators this week after persistent economic difficulties. If a buyer is found, the homes could remain open and the residents could stay where they are. The local authority has already said, however, that if the search for a buyer is unsuccessful they would support the 75 residents in finding appropriate, alternative accommodation.

Shay Bannon, business restructuring partner of BDO has been appointed as administrator. He said, “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 homes 47 residents, while Annan Court has 28, and recently took in many people from Kirktlebridge’s Langshaw House home when it closed.

A Dumfries and Galloway Council spokeswoman said they had been in regular contact with Aermid, who had told them that there has already been a great deal of interest in the sale.