Shropshire care firm under fire over £8 million plans for new home while another faces axe
A care firm has been criticised over plans to build an £8 million home in one part of Shropshire while closing another centre elsewhere in the county.
The TA Centre in Sundorne Road, Shrewsbury, was demolished at the weekend to make way for Coverage Care's planned 90-bed home.
Meanwhile, families, residents and employees at Westlands Care Home in Wem have been told to expect that to close no later than April.
Chief executive of the care service company David Coull said last month that it was expected Westlands would close amid financial struggles and building repair costs, leaving 54 staff out of work and 31 long-term residents having to relocate.
The plans to build the £8 million home on the TA Centre site in Shrewsbury come after a £6.5 million home was built in Oswestry in 2013.
Families of residents at the Wem care home say they cannot understand why there are plans to build a new one while closing another.
But Mr Coull defended the plans, saying any decisions taken, however difficult, are taken with a view to the long-term health of the organisation.
Sandra Smith, 53, of West Felton, said her mother had died at the home in Wem aged 85 after three years of fantastic care.
She said: "It is so upsetting, and it really doesn't make any sense. They say we are oversubscribed for care in Wem but they can build a 90-bed centre nearby, Why can't they put some of that money into Westlands?"
Her sister, Heather Francis, of Albert Road in Sundorne, said: "It is really bad timing, and we just cannot believe they can spend so much on a new centre."
Mr Coull said: "It has to be stressed that Coverage Care is a not-for-profit company. Any decisions taken, however difficult, are taken with a view to the long-term health of the organisation. There are no owners or shareholders getting rich from its operation.
"The sad decision to consult on the closure of Westlands is based upon the fact that it has unavoidably become a significant drain on the resources available to all of our other homes."
He added: "The new home we will build in Shrewsbury is a very separate issue. It is to meet demand for care and nursing places where it exists, using modern facilities that provide efficient and high quality care.
"The position at Westlands was made worse by the fact that there is oversupply of care places in the north of Shropshire."
Staff at Westlands have claimed the closure has been in the pipeline for months.
They issued a statement, saying:
"The home will be handed back to Shropshire County Council and the grounds will be worth more to them for development. The reason Westlands has been losing money is because Coverage Care has been filling the beds at the new homes rather than here.
"Our home may not be as posh as these impersonal hotel-like buildings, but it is a homely welcoming place where clients are looked after by friendly and caring staff."
