Uncertainty as care home withdraws nursing service

As the Lynn of Lorne Care Home in Benderloch withdraws nursing care due to a staff shortage, relatives fear some residents may be moved from the area.

The private care home, which looks after up to 62 residents, is run by McKenzie Care, which gave 13 weeks’ notice on April 30 to end its contract with Argyll and Bute’s Health and Social Care Partnership (HSCP).

‘The care home is undergoing a registration change from nursing care to enhanced residential care, which will have an impact on the care provision for existing and future residents,’ the HSCP’s locality manager told Argyll and Bute Council’s Oban, Lorn and the Isles Community Planning Group in May.

‘All current residents will be reassessed and, where possible, their needs met within the current care facility, but there is a risk that some residents may have to move out within the Oban area for their care needs to be met.

‘The HSCP are working closely with the Lynn of Lorne care home to ensure they do their best for every resident.’

Amid the uncertainty a meeting was held last month between carers, social workers and relatives, some of whom were concerned residents could be moved to care homes as far as Ballachullish or Helensburgh, or further. One feared some elderly people could die because they are adversely affected by the move.

Jackie Weston, the director of care at McKenzie Care, was unable to give an update because the residents’ assessments haven’t been completed.’