Hinckley Times

Hotel plan for failing resdential care home

- KAREN HAMBRIDGE karen.hambridge@trinitymir­ror.com

A FAILING care home could be converted into a hotel amid rising costs and poor inspection results.

Increasing pressure from the industry regulator, coupled with everincrea­sing expenses is forcing owner Akshay Barot to look at alternativ­es for Holmfield Care Home.

The complex on the A5, near to the roundabout junction for Higham on the Hill, was branded “inadequate” during its last unannounce­d inspection by officials from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The report highlighte­d major issues with leadership and safety, saying both areas required improvemen­t.

A history of failings has blighted the residence going back to 2013.

Inspection­s in September and January 2016 labelled the home as “requiring improvemen­t” and “inadequate” respec- tively, while previous problems surrounded record keeping, cleanlines­s and infection control.

In a supporting submission for a change of use applicatio­n, Mr Barot’s agents said: “Mr Barot has been operating the care facility for a number of years from the site.

“However, owing to increasing pressure from the CQC regulator, added time and expense through fulfilling their requiremen­ts, increasing national wages and increased running costs, Mr Barot is being forced to consider his options.

“Holmfield Nursing Home is a small facility owned and operated by Haydn-Barlow Care Limited.

“Holmfield nursing home provides accommodat­ion, nursing and personal care and support for up to 20 older people living with physical frailty due to older age and complex health conditions.

“Despite the management’s best efforts, the facility has continued to struggle to keep up with the standards set by the CQC while at the same time providing a competitiv­e and value for money service.

“This is a similar situation for care facilities of this scale across the country who do not possess the economies of scale to enable them to invest to overcome the issues cited.”

The submission explains Mr Barot was looking to simplify the business and diversify into an area with a simpler regulatory regime.

He had noted an absence of hotel provision within the area and sought to branch out into the hos- pitality trade, enabling the site to maintain it’s standing as a commercial premises offering employment and adding to the local economy.

No external works are proposed although a grassed area to the front is being targeted as a prime area to expand the car park from 14 to 21 spaces.

As the property is on the A5 boundary, change of use applicatio­ns have been received by both Hinckley and Bosworth Borough Council and Nuneaton and Bedworth Borough Council.

 ??  ?? Holmfield Nursing Home, on the A5 Watling Street.
Holmfield Nursing Home, on the A5 Watling Street.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United Kingdom