12 patients remain at Shropshire home despite order

Shropshire Council imposed an order on Hillcrest Manor Nursing Home in Minsterley, near Shrewsbury, due to "grave concerns" over standards of care.

While the majority of the 34 residents at the privately-owned care home have been transferred to new homes, about 12 people still remain.

The order was imposed on July 26, with the first residents moved the following day.

Philip Rainsford, a management consultant advising Kelly Residential, the company that owns the home, said they did not know the full details of what will happen to the remaining residents.

"We have got 12 people living here. Last Friday there was apparently a huge imperative for people to move out," he said. "We are here 10 days later and it can't be that unsuitable. We are still open and full care is being provided."

He said the future of the remaining residents is "very much up in the air".

Mr Rainsford said a legal challenge against the order was still in progress.

The care home provides general nursing and specialist nursing dementia care.

The order to remove residents was imposed by Shropshire Council following an inspection in April by the Care Quality Commission which demanded a series of improvements in standards of care and staffing.

At the time, the CQC raised concerns about poor cleanliness, a lack of staff and the dignity of residents being compromised.

Council officers served the owners of the home with an immediate improvement notice in early July but a further unannounced inspection later in the month resulted in the notice being served.

Shropshire Council confirmed the authority is aware of the remaining 12 residents.

Stephen Chandler, director of adult services, said: "We have successfully moved 22 residents to alternative accommodation, and are closely monitoring the care being provided to those who have remained at the home."