Four Seasons calls decision to close seven care homes in Northern Ireland 'difficult but unavoidable'

Four Seasons Health Care has announced it is to close seven of its care homes in Northern Ireland, which are home to more than 250 residents and employ nearly 400 staff.

The homes are Victoria Park Care Home and Stormont Care Home in Belfast, Antrim Care Home, Garvagh Care Home, Donaghcloney Care Home near Banbridge, Oakridge Care Home in Ballynahinch and Hamilton Court in Armagh.

The UK’s biggest care home providers said it is committed to still running care homes in Northern Ireland and will continue to operate its remaining 62 homes. Four Seasons Healthcare currently runs 450 care homes across the UK.

A spokesman for Four Seasons Health Care described the decision to close the seven homes as a “difficult but unavoidable one” and said: “The principal reason behind this decision is that each of these homes is operating at a loss and they are no longer viable. The fee income that the homes receive is below the cost of the care they are providing and we have effectively been paying a subsidy for them to continue to provide care. We regret that we cannot continue to sustain this position.

Shortage of nurses

“Additionally, the national shortage of nurses means it has been difficult to recruit and retain permanent staff of the right calibre. This leaves the homes reliant on temporary agency nurses in order to maintain staffing levels, that carries a high cost and presents challenges in maintaining the quality of care we expect to provide.”

He added: “The wellbeing of the residents is our priority and the homes will continue to provide care while we allow plenty of time for them and their families to be supported to find suitable alternative placements. We will do everything we can to ensure there is no disruption to their care during this time.”

Four Seasons says it will welcome applications from staff to transfer to the company’s other homes, subject to suitable vacancies being available.

“We would like to retain as many employees as we can and we expect that most of our nurses and a substantial number of our care staff will be able to transfer.”

Decision was not taken 'lightly'

In common with other care providers Four Seasons Health Care said it reviews its portfolio of care homes throughout the UK, with consideration of changing market conditions and its operational performance.

“The decision to close any home is not taken lightly, but we have to focus on homes that are capable of operating successfully to deliver high standards of care for the longer term.

“We are committed to providing elderly care in Northern Ireland, where we are by far the leading provider and will have 62 care homes remaining in operation,” added the spokesman.

Politicians and unions have called the imminent closures a crisis, although rumours that Four Seasons is to sell off some of its care homes have been circulating for some time.

Northern Ireland alters plans to close statutory run care homes

In the wake of the announcement, Health Minister Simon Hamilton for Northern Ireland has revealed that the Northern Ireland Assembly has stopped plans to close 10 statutory run care homes in Northern Ireland.

"I have been keeping developments under constant review and as a consequence of these growing concerns and confirmation that Four Seasons Health Care will close seven homes across Northern Ireland.

“I am asking the Health and Social Care Board to halt and review the proposed closures of statutory residential care homes,” he said.

Rehana Azam, national officer for GMB, the union for staff in the NHS and care sector said: “The situation in the care sector is critical as the announcement by Four Seasons of the closure of seven care homes in Northern Ireland makes clear.

“Unless the Chancellor injects the money needed in the care sector I fear a slow motion collapse happening over the coming 18 to 36 months.”

Ian Smith, chairman of Four Seasons Healthcare spoke about the problems facing care home providers at the recent Care England conference. To find out more go to www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1572315/four-seasons-boss-embarrassed-british

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