Menu
24/11/2015
Seven NI Care Homes To Close
Seven care homes in Northern Ireland are to close.
Owned by private operator Four Seasons the homes to close 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.
On Monday, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £25.4million for the third quarter of the year.
A Four Seasons spokesperson 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.
"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.
"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 welcomes applications for 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.
"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."
(CD/MH)
Owned by private operator Four Seasons the homes to close 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.
On Monday, the company reported a pre-tax loss of £25.4million for the third quarter of the year.
A Four Seasons spokesperson 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.
"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.
"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 welcomes applications for 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.
"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."
(CD/MH)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
22 March 2022
£5m Announced For NI's Care Home Sector
A £5 million support package has been announced to help Northern Ireland's care home sector with rising energy costs. Care homes, like the rest of society, have been dealing with sharply rising energy prices. The £5m funding will be allocated by HSC Trusts on the basis of bed numbers per home.
£5m Announced For NI's Care Home Sector
A £5 million support package has been announced to help Northern Ireland's care home sector with rising energy costs. Care homes, like the rest of society, have been dealing with sharply rising energy prices. The £5m funding will be allocated by HSC Trusts on the basis of bed numbers per home.
29 July 2019
Job Prospects For Unemployed With Care Home Training Scheme
A care home group is offering job opportunities for the unemployed in Belfast following completion of a four-week training programme. Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes in Northern Ireland, has developed a scheme to equip unemployed members of society with recognised qualifications in health and social care skills.
Job Prospects For Unemployed With Care Home Training Scheme
A care home group is offering job opportunities for the unemployed in Belfast following completion of a four-week training programme. Macklin Care Homes, which operates six homes in Northern Ireland, has developed a scheme to equip unemployed members of society with recognised qualifications in health and social care skills.
24 April 2013
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
Nine Residential Care Homes To Close
The Northern Health and Social Care Trust is set to close all nine of its residential care homes starting in November this year, according to Unison. Two homes, Pinewood in Ballymena and Westlands in Cookstown are to close in November, followed by Rathmoyle in Moyle in January 2014.
18 February 2022
Care Home Visiting Restrictions To Be Eased
Restrictions on visiting care homes are to be revised following the removal of wider restrictions in NI. Following advice from the Public Health Agency, Minister Swann has agreed that restrictions on visiting in care homes will move from 'Gradual Easing' to 'Further Easing'.
Care Home Visiting Restrictions To Be Eased
Restrictions on visiting care homes are to be revised following the removal of wider restrictions in NI. Following advice from the Public Health Agency, Minister Swann has agreed that restrictions on visiting in care homes will move from 'Gradual Easing' to 'Further Easing'.
21 October 2021
Care Home Visiting Restrictions Eased
Visiting restrictions at NI's Care Homes are to be eased following a review. From today, the main change will see an increase in the frequency of visits permitted and in the number of people permitted to visit care homes at the same time.
Care Home Visiting Restrictions Eased
Visiting restrictions at NI's Care Homes are to be eased following a review. From today, the main change will see an increase in the frequency of visits permitted and in the number of people permitted to visit care homes at the same time.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
