Home closure slammed
ADAUGHTER has criticised a care home firm for closing its doors and causing upheaval to vulnerable residents.
St Michael’s home in Marine Drive in Rhos on Sea is shutting.
New owners Rosewood Healthcare blame the cost of bringing it up to standard and say residents are their priority.
Conwy Council says it is working with the health board and company to find alternative accommodation.
Kath Bayliss’s mother Lizzie Roberts, 86, has advanced dementia.
She said: “I visit my mother every day. But I’ve been told she could go to a home in Denbigh. I live in Rhos on Sea. How can I get to Denbigh every day?”
Deborah Tilvington’s 98-yearold mum Elizabeth Powless, lives at the home.
She said: “They sent letters informing relatives that St Michael’s was closing. But it is causing upheaval for everybody including my mother. This will be the fifth time she will have had to move.”
Due to their conditions some residents are unaware of the closure but families face difficulties over finding a new home.
Ms Tilvington added: “A lot of these families are fuming.”
Rosewood Healthcare said it is taking care of residents after the decision to close.
A spokeswoman said: “This decision has not been taken lightly as the absolute priority is the residents, their families and the staff.”
She added: “It would require a considerable amount of work and investment to bring the home up to the required standards and this is not financially viable, or something that can be done while the home is operating.
“We hope that the closure will be temporary and the home may re-open in the future.
“We will be working with residents, their relatives and all agencies to help find alternative homes with as little disruption as possible.
“We also will support staff in helping them find alternative employment.”
A Conwy Council spokesman said it has been informed that St Michael’s, a private nursing home, is closing.
Conwy County Borough Council is working with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board to identify alternative appropriate services for residents.
The residents are the priority and finding alternative care for them is being addressed “as a matter of urgency,” she added.