THREE care homes are set to close.
Dozens of staff and residents at Trippier House, Colchester, Well House, Brightlingsea, and Poplars, in Walton, were told Tuesday night the homes would be closing.
Provider Essex County Care Ltd blamed the decision on Essex County Council, saying it owed them £140,000 in backdated fees and claiming it failed to offer realistic rates for residents.
Natalie Vive-Kananda, development director at Essex County Care Ltd, said they are now considering taking legal action.
She said: “The closure of the homes is from consistently low fee rates and lack of payment, for example £140,000 uplift fees - additional costs paid for extra care - have not been paid to our company since March 2017.
“We, as a company, have made this decision it is no longer financially viable with the rates the council provides.”
The company has alleged per month it is losing: £10,000 from Poplars, £20,000 from Trippier House, and £2,000 from Well House.
Ms Vive-Kananda added: “In essence, the council wants Michelin-star cuisine with using ‘Happy Shopper brand’ products.
“Due to this unfair stance pursued by the council, ECCL not only suffered historical loss and over the years its finances have been de-graded and brought to its knees.
“It is these finances that are making homes close.
“I have been negotiating with the council and have had various meetings, but it has fallen on deaf ears.”
Scarletts care home in Colchester
In total, 130 staff will be put at risk of redundancy following the decision and 64 residents left having to find a new home.
A timetable for closure has not yet been confirmed.
Earlier this month Essex County Care closed another of its care homes – Scarletts in Colchester – but said it was for refurbishment.
It came after Essex County Council withdrew its funding for the service following repeated inadequate reports from the Care Quality Commission.
The provider said it will be reopening it at a later date.
Following inspections by the Care Quality Commission, Trippier House and Well House have been rated as requiring improvement while Poplars is rated as good.
Ms Vive-Kananda said the decision to close the homes was solely about the lack of support from the council.
She said they were now focusing on supporting staff and residents through the closures.
Ms Vive-Kananda said: “We will be working closely with families, residents and the council as well as other professionals for a smooth transition for all involved.
“Sadly, this will place all staff within the three homes at risk of redundancy.
"We will be working with other homes and businesses within the area to ensure our staff are aware of further vacancies and opportunities within the healthcare industry.”
Essex County Council spokesperson said: “On Tuesday we were made aware of Essex County Cares Limited’s intention to close three of their care homes in Colchester, Clacton and Walton.
"As always, our priority is the wellbeing of the current residents.
"We will now work closely with residents and their families to ensure they are supported to find suitable, alternative accommodation of their choice.
“Essex County Care Limited is entitled to ‘uplift fees’ from the county council, and back payments which they are due will be paid to them by the end of this week.”
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