North Shropshire care home closures spark calls for action
Action needs to be taken over care for elderly people in the north of the county, civic leaders have urged.
Fears have been raised after two care homes were told they must improve while another two announced they would close.
Elmhurst Nursing Home in Prees, near Whitchurch, and River Meadows Nursing Home in Edgebolton, near Shawbury, were both told they required improvement.
Meanwhile, Legrand Nursing Home in Tilstock, near Whitchurch, announced earlier this month it would close at the end of May, leaving 39 employees out of work after financial struggles and recruitment issues.
It came weeks after Westlands care home in Wem was closed by managers at Coverage Care Services on March 31 which had been losing £25,000 a year for the last five years.
Councillor John Murray, deputy mayor of Wem, said: "
I really think the whole system needs looking at."
Elmhurst Nursing Home provides accommodation, personal and nursing care for up to 45 older people. The recent inspection report by the Care Quality Commission criticised staffing levels at the home.
Rob Hewson, outgoing Whitchurch mayor, said: "There has got to be something done about care homes – it is an important issue."
Ellesmere mayor Councillor Ian Ward said: "When there comes a point when you can no longer be cared for at home it is reasonable to expect that the level of care at a care home will be high quality. It should be a home from home for people."
