Blair care home to consult on closure
Owners will begin process for Rosemount
A Blairgowrie care home could close later this year putting nearly 40 jobs at risk and forcing dozens of residents to seek alternative accommodation, it was confirmed this week.
Four Seasons Health Care is proposing to close Rosemount Care Home on Perth Road by early May and the company has already started a month-long consultation process with its staff, explaining the rationale behind the proposal.
Rosemount currently has 28 residents, 24 full-time staff, 14 parttime staff and one bank worker.
Four Seasons Health Care regional managing director John Kirk confirmed: “The proposal to cease operating the home has not been arrived at easily, but we think it is unavoidable based on a combination of factors.
“The main one is that the home has been operating at a loss for some time and this has been getting worse. Its occupancy of 28 residents is only a little more than half its capacity of 52.
“There is little chance of this improving in the foreseeable future as local care home availability exceeds demand for places, with eight other homes within close proximity.
“The home is a leasehold premises and at an age when it would require refurbishment and modernisation to continue to meet future expectations of a modern care home, but the significant investment that would be required is not viable in the current market conditions.
“The wellbeing of the people living in the home is our priority and we will work closely with Perth and Kinross Council’s social services team to ensure that the residents and their families are supported to find suitable alternative placements. We hope they will consider our other homes in the area, although they will be free to choose.
“Rosemount will continue to provide care while we allow plenty of time for the most appropriate arrangements to be made for all residents and we will do everything we can to ensure there is no disruption to their care during the transition.”
Local councillor Bob Ellis commented: “I was saddened to learn of the proposed closure of the Rosemount Care Home in Blairgowrie. It is true to say that there are a number of care homes in Blairgowrie and Rattray but it still not the news that people want to hear.
“I am heartened to learn that Mr Kirk has said that [Four Seasons] will work with PKC’s social services team to make sure that the residents are found other placements.
“I also feel concerned for the staff both full time and part time who have worked at this fine establishment and I hope that they all manage to find other work within their profession before May.”