Second Shropshire care home in two months to close forcing 38 residents to move
A second care home is set to close in north Shropshire within two months, forcing 38 residents to relocate.
Legrand Nursing Home today announced the closure of the care home in Tilstock, near Whitchurch, and it will also leave 39 employees out of work. Bosses said it comes amid financial struggles and recruitment issues.
It comes after Westlands care home in Wem was closed by managers at Coverage Care Services on March 31 due to the home losing £25,000 a year for the last five years and facing bills for repairs.
Georges Legrand, owner of the family-owned nursing home, said that Legrand Nursing Home would close on May 31.
Last month the troubled care home was ordered to improve by care watchdogs, Care Quality Commission, after inspections revealed a number of failings when they visited in February. The inspection report highlighted issues with assessments and monitoring of medicines.
In September last year, Mr Legrand was banned from nursing after giving a patient four times his prescribed medication dose.
His actions also included lifting the patient from a wheelchair to a chair by holding the back of his trousers and his belt – despite a handling belt available nearby.
Mr Legrand was found guilty of the ill-treatment or wilful neglect of a person lacking mental capacity and was struck off the register.
Legrand Nursing Home provides accommodation and personal care for adults who require nursing care and who may have a dementia-related illness for a maximum of 38 people.
Tom Legrand, care provider, said: "We have done everything we can to try and save the business but due to significant and unsustainable losses suffered recently it is no longer viable to keep the home open.
"This is due largely to the embargo on placements by local authorities, the low fees paid by local authorities, the increased costs associated with regulation and the ongoing difficulties in recruiting registered nurses."
Rob Hewson, mayor of Whitchurch, said: "It is a great shame. We were shocked when we heard about the closure. It is sad to be losing a family business."
