Welsh care home hit by financial problems to close in a week

Aran Hedd care home in Abercynon in Wales, has given its residents a week to find somewhere else to live, after announcing it is to close due to financial problems.

The home will close next Friday leaving eight vulnerable residents homeless and all 16 staff without a job.

The Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) said the owner had decided to close the home because it was not financially viable anymore.

A spokeswoman for CSSIW said: “CSSIW issued a notice of proposal to cancel registration of Aran Hedd care home, Abercynon on 2 April, a decision based on financial viability, that included the ability to pay staff and to provide an adequate level of staffing to ensure a safe level of care and support for residents.

“The owner had 28 days to respond to this but has voluntarily taken the decision to close the home.

“We understand that the local authority has been notified of this closure and that residents and their families are being supported to find new homes.”

Rhondda Cynon Taf Council has been working with the owner of Aran Hedd over the last few months to try and resolve its financial problems.

A spokeswoman for Rhondda Cynon Taf Council said: “Unfortunately, Aran Hedd contacted the council to inform them that after pursuing all avenues, the care home would need to close and the eight residents who currently reside there would need to be relocated.

“Following this, the council contacted all the families affected and are currently working with them to ensure a safe and dignified transfer to alternative care homes in and around the area.

"So far the majority of residents affected have already specified a preferred relocation choice and the Council is working with its partners to ensure that their requests are fulfilled wherever possible.

“All residents affected by this move are protected under the Council’s contract with the home, which ensures that all standards of care are met by the home.”