Staff and families’ shock after nursing home closes
ANURSING home has suddenly closed after staff and relatives were told the receivers had been called in.
The 20 or so staff who work at Penisarwaun nursing home, near Brynrefail, Caernarfon, were told the shocking news last Wednesday.
The home has around 20 residents aged over 65 with beds for 33. Many of them are elderly, vulnerable and in need of nursing care.
Families of the residents are distraught after being told they have only seven days to find their loved ones a new home.
Penisarwaun Care Home is a subsidiary of Pauls Care Services Ltd whose directors are Mubarik and Mrs Patrizia Paul. Mr Paul is an accountant and Mrs Paul a nurse.
They also have two other nursing homes – Church View in Accrington, Lancashire and Mapleford in Huncoat, also Lancashire.
Elin Jones, who has a grandmother at the home, said: “The owners have decided to close the home. Everybody were told yesterday that it will be shutting by Tuesday.
“It was only two months ago that the owners told the staff in a meeting that they were in no danger. We’re talking about 20 very vulnerable patients. My grandmother is aged 90 and has dementia.
“The staff here are so lovely with the patients and the care is fantastic. Everybody is heartbroken. Everybody is like a family here. It’s not the staff’s fault.”
Janet Jones, whose grandmother is at the home, said: “We’re having meetings with Gwynedd social services and the NHS.”
Penisarwaun care home parent company Pauls Care Services has assets of £2.2m on paper.
The company’s own auditors warned in the firm’s financial statement for the year ended September 30 that there was “substantial doubt about the company’s ability to continue as a going concern.”
In a letter for relatives yesterday, Mr Paul said: “We regret to inform you that Penisarwaun Care Home Ltd is to be liquidated and closed. The liquidator has been given notice to the authorities to vacate the home in seven days, from yesterday.
“Please contact your social worker for further information.”
In its last report on the home in March, the Care Inspectorate Wales (CIW) criticised the home for the fact it did not have a manager.
A joint statement by Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board and Gwynedd Council said: “We have received notification from the Penisarwaun private nursing home that the facility will shortly be closing.
“As a council and health board, our priority is to support and protect the health and wellbeing of the home’s residents as we work with the families to identify suitable alternative accommodation. We are doing everything possible to meet the needs of each and every one of the residents and we are in regular contact with the families of the residents to discuss the matter.”
A CIW spokeswoman said: “On July 10, CIW was notified of the provider’s intention to close this service. There are currently 20 people living at the home. Gwynedd and Anglesey local authorities, the provider, and advocacy services are working together to find alternative accommodation for residents in the local area. We will work closely with the provider and Gwynedd social services to ensure people are supported in moving to appropriate alternative accommodation.”