Frail residents to be kicked out as Harrogate care home set to close

Families of residents living at the care home received a letter on Monday, February 22, telling them that the home would be closing on March 18.

The news comes just two months after the CQC rated the home as ‘Requiring Improvement’ as residents were at risk of unsafe or inappropriate care.

Residents’ families now face the difficult task of finding new homes for their family members, many of whom suffer with Dementia , disabilities or Alzheimer’s.

Tony Dunell placed his 85-year-old mother, who suffers with Dementia, in the care home one year ago and said he had raised concerns with managers during a meeting in January.

However, he decided to keep his mother in the home to avoid causing unnecessary confusion but was ‘appalled’ to read the contents of the letter on Monday.

He said: “I raised the point at my meeting with the managing director that I thought their poor CQC report was a result of a management failing.

“He agreed and said they would be working to improve the situation. So I was appalled to read the letter and discover how quickly he intended to close the home.

“The staff were always good. The problem was there was such a high turnover and there seemed to be no proper leadership.

“I’m now going to have to find a new home for her.

“She’s got Dementia so it’s not good for her to be moved about. There’s 10 residents left that are in the same boat and one of them is 90.”

The CQC’s December inspection found breaches of legal requirements in relation to care and welfare, staffing levels, staff training, and quality monitoring.

Mr Dunell said he was worried about the impact the move would have on his mother as she had become ‘comfortable’ with her surroundings.

He said: “I decided to give them the benefit of the doubt after the report came out because I was hoping it would improve.

“My mum will be really upset by all this. There will be a lot of confusion involved as she gets used to new surroundings.

North Yorkshire County Council said they will be working with residents, families and the home to support people moving to alternative homes in an ‘appropriate timescale’.

The Pines Care Home declined to comment when approached by the Harrogate Advertiser.