Care home to close because it is no longer financially viable

Residents at a care home in south Devon have less than three weeks to find a new home, after its owners said keeping it open was no longer financially viable.

South Efford House is to close on 20 March, after its owner, Crocus Care, said the home was losing money.

The care home is registered for 22 residents but currently only has 11 residents.

Paul Ewer, managing director of Crocus Care, called it ‘very sad’ and said the home needed 17 residents to make it financially viable.

Eight of the residents are funded by the local authority and Mr Ewer claims the fees paid by the council do not cover the cost of caring for them.

A spokesman for Devon County Council said: ‘Efford House is making a loss because it has a significant level of vacancies ( 50 per cent) and the business has been unsuccessful in attracting clients to the home.'

'Devon County Council is working closely with residents and their families to find suitable alternative accommodation that meets their individual needs.'

Crocus Care was given a formal warning by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) last year, after it carried out an unannounced visit to South Efford House.

Inspectors found Crocus Care, had failed to protect a person in the care of South Efford House from injury.

They found risks that affected the person had not been adequately assessed and clear directions to protect the person from harm were not given to the staff.

Although inspectors found the situation had now been made safe, Crocus Care was warned it must always have measures in place to keep all the people that live at South Efford House safe.