Long closure for care home
‘12-14 month’shutdown sparks concerns
A Strathearn care home is to close for what has been described as “an extended period” to allow a new one to be built in its place, a care provider has said.
Care Concern Group last week confirmed it has made the “difficult” decision in relation to Ancaster House, pictured left, in Crieff following a review by Priory CC17 Limited.
It is understood the staff, as well as the residents and their families, were told earlier this month that previous plans under different ownership to construct a replacement while the existing facility remained open have now been changed.
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire SNP MSP Jim Fairlie described the news as “very worrying”.
A Strathearn care home is to close for what has been described as “an extended period” to allow a new one to be built in its place, a care provider has said.
Care Concern Group last week confirmed it has made the “difficult” decision in relation to Ancaster House in Crieff following a review by Priory CC17 Limited.
The Alligan Road premises can provide residential, dementia and respite care for up to 35 people and is said to be operating near to its capacity, with 33 residents living there at present.
It is understood the 43 staff, as well as the residents and their families, were told earlier this month that the home is to close later this year and that previous plans under different ownership to construct a replacement while the existing facility remained open have now been changed.
A spokesperson for Ancaster House said the home would close on Friday, April 15, and it was hoped the new one would be built over the subsequent “12 to 14 months”.
A consultation is under way with the affected staff, with the home operating as normal until the closure date, and efforts are ongoing in terms of finding suitable new homes for the residents.
In a further statement, the Ancaster House representative said: “The health and wellbeing of everyone who makes their home with us at Ancaster House has always been our top priority.
“We have completed a review of the care home and its facilities to consider what changes are needed to prepare positively for the future.
“The review concluded that an extensive refurbishment of the building is required, and as a result we have made the difficult decision to close the home for an extended period of time to allow for the logistics of a new build.
“We are committed to working with residents, their families and our local health and care partners to ensure a smooth transition period.
“Our goal is to make sure all residents find a suitable new home that meets their individual needs and where they will be happy.
“Our management team is fully supporting colleagues throughout this process, and we will be engaging with them and their representatives over the coming weeks.
“This decision has not been taken lightly, but is the first step in a necessary process to ensure that Ancaster House can fully support and meet the needs of its residents now and in the future.”
Strathearn ward SNP councillor Stewart Donaldson said he was “shocked”, “saddened” and “deeply concerned” for the residents and staff.
He went on to say: “I have contacted the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership about this, but there are further questions I will want to ask.
“However, for now I know that their staff are working with the Care Inspectorate, and with the care provider, Care Concern Group, to ensure that the provider fulfils its contractual obligations.
“The health and social care partnership is also working with social workers to consider the needs of individual residents, and to find alternative accommodation.
“I have also received an assurance as regards staff.”
Cllr Donaldson continued: “Right now, my main overriding concern is for the local residents at Ancaster House, plus another five from other local authority areas.
“This is their home, and events over the last few days will have been very distressing for them.
“I can only hope that appropriate solutions for each and every resident can be found.”
Perthshire South and Kinrossshire SNP MSP Jim Fairlie said: “I was concerned to hear about this apparent change of plan regarding the redevelopment of Ancaster House and I will be contacting them to find out the reasons behind this temporary closure and what assistance they will be giving to staff in the intervening period.
“This will be very worrying indeed for residents and their families and, whilst I am certain that the health and social care partnership will do what they can to help in the search for suitable alternative accommodation, I will be stressing to the owners of Ancaster House their obligations in this regard too.”
A representative of Perth and Kinross Council told the Herald: “We appreciate how concerning Care Concern Group’s decision to close Ancaster House will be for residents and to the local community.
“Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership is working with the provider, residents, other placing local authorities and families, as well as the Care Inspectorate, to ensure all residents impacted by this closure find alternative suitable accommodation.
“We will also look to support the staff impacted in exploring other job opportunities in the care sector locally.”
Mid Scotland and Fi f e Conservative MSP Liz Smith said: “The home is an institution which has a long and distinguished history and which has served the local community extremely well.
“I have been in contact with representatives of the Integrated Joint Board and Perth and Kinross Council and pressed the importance of ensuring the needs of residents are paramount at this worrying time.”
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “We have been notified of the care provider’s intention to cancel their registration and close this care home.
“We are working closely with the local health and social care partnership and expect that any transition to new care arrangements ensures residents’ needs are met and their rights respected.”
Previous Ancaster House owners Coulson & Collins (Crieff) LLP – who bought the home in 2013 but are no longer involved – were granted planning permission for the erection of a replacement care home and the associated work by Perth and Kinross Council in 2019, subject to several conditions being met.
The design statement associated with that plan proposed that the existing 35-bedroom care home be demolished and a modern 64-bedroom care home erected.
The document, created by Perthshire- based planning consultant Keir + Co, states: “The new care home is to be redeveloped in a single exercise, which will comprise three stages to allow a seamless transition between the existing care home and new care home, allowing residents to remain on site throughout.”
Founded in 1963, Ancaster House was originally overseen by armed forces charity BLESMA until it handed over the reins to the new owners at the time in 2013.