Closure shock for Shropshire care home

Coverage Care Services today announced the closure of Westlands care home in Wem amid financial struggles and ongoing building repairs.

Chief executive of the care service company David Coull said that it was expected that the home would close in April following a final decision expected by March 3.

They will have judged that the Westlands care home, in Wem, is no longer sufficiently profitable for it to remain open.

One cost that is difficult to calculate, however, is this: The human cost.

There will be an exorbitant price to be paid by the 54 employees who will lose their jobs and the 31 long-term residents who will be forced to relocate at a time in life when they do not seek such upheaval.

While we live in a commercial world where tough decisions are the order of the day for local businesses, it is paramount that the closure is handled with the greatest sensitivity.

Coverage Care has a duty of care to ensure the welfare of residents remains its greatest concern.

It must prioritise the happiness and security of residents, while also providing motivation for workers who will lose their jobs.

He spoke of his disappointment at the decision to close a Shropshire care home, but claimed they have no option.

Managers at Coverage Care Services said Westlands care home in Wem is losing money and faces bills for repairs.

He said: "A number of factors have caused this unavoidable decision, not least of which is the fact that the ageing home has long been losing money but this has now accelerated to a point that is unsustainable.

"There are no effective or long-term measures we can take that will alter this position.

"As a not-for-profit organisation our first duty must be to protect the financial health of the company in the interests of everyone who relies upon it, both for care and for employment, today and in the future."

A statement from the care company said it had been "some time" since Westlands was able to contribute to the financial health of the service.

Despite the closure, CCS insists the over-provision of care in Shropshire means that the loss of the 40 spaces provided at Westlands will not disadvantage the area.

It also said it hopes to transfer residents to new homes in a "straightforward and stress-free" manner.

It said: "While we fully understand that this is a difficult time for people who rely on us, we will support all service users to review their medium and longer-term care needs thereby hopefully avoiding a further move in the future."

Unions today described the decision to close the home with the loss of 54 jobs as a "disaster".

Andrew Johnson, Unison regional organiser, said: "We believe the care home is the biggest employer in Wem. Our members at the home have been devastated by the news. They are horrified at the impact on elderly residents.

"We are working closely with the company to avoid as many compulsory redundancies as possible by redeploying staff to the company's other homes. However, because of poor public transport links it is difficult to see how many staff members can be redeployed unless they have their own means of transport.

"Meanwhile Unison will approach Shropshire Council, the main commissioning body, to ask that talks on a rescue package are held. This could involve an increase in fees, guarantees on bed occupancy or a moratorium on payments for the lease of the building. Unison believes that the council has a duty to the elderly residents of the home and the community of Wem to try to find a way of preventing closure."

• Will you or your relatives be affected by the closure? Email newsroom@shropshirestar.co.uk or call (01952) 241412.

He added: "The announcement is a disaster for the residents, the staff and the community of Wem."

Mr Coull added: "It is with sadness that we must confirm the intention of Coverage Care Services to commence statutory consultation on the proposed closure.

"Westlands has provided many years of excellent care and accommodation to members of the community, thanks to a dedicated and highly talented staff.

"Our overriding priority in the process of winding down the site will be to ensure the smoothest possible transitions to new locations for our residents and those staff we are able to retain in alternative positions.

"We are keeping families, residents and staff fully informed on the process.

"We will also be ensuring that experienced staff are on-hand to answer any questions they have and to provide reassurance about their individual choices."

The home, which opened in 1997, employs 34 care staff, 14 support workers including catering staff, and six management and administrative employees.

The company has said it hopes to keep as many staff as possible in its other homes around the county, but redundancies are also expected.