Failure to attract enough staff causes care home closure

A CARE home is being forced to close down because it has failed to attract enough staff to work there.

Abermad Nursing Home in Ceredigion will shut its doors due to a “recruitment challenge” that management are unable to overcome.

The private care home, located in the village of Llanfarian, three miles south of Aberystwyth, has 23 single rooms and two shared rooms and can cater for up to 27 residents.

Set in Abermad Mansion the home cares for people aged over 65 who have a wide range of care needs and, according to the last inspection carried out by Care Inspectorate Wales, in July 2021, the facility boasts “dedicated leadership and management and a committed staff team”. However a company director of Abermad Nursing Home Ltd has now informed Ceredigion council and Hywel Dda University Health Board that the care home is to close.

A spokeswoman for Abermad Nursing Home said: “As a responsible care provider we conduct regular reviews into the sustainability of all our care homes to make sure we can continue to deliver high-quality care with the appropriate number of trained staff. Abermad has faced a long-term recruitment challenge which has left us unable to staff the home to appropriate levels.

“Despite our best efforts to attract qualified carers and nursing staff to the home we have been unable to solve this recruitment challenge. As a result, and for the safety of all the residents living at the home, we have made the difficult decision to close Abermad Nursing Home.”

Earlier this year the Welsh care home industry was said to be in “crisis” according to a report from Care Forum Wales as up to 75% of staff across the board were at one point off sick. While a closing date has not yet been set, Ceredigion council and the health board are working with management to support residents and their families to find alternative placements and care provision.