A Perthshire 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, it has emerged.
Care Concern Group this week confirmed it has made the “difficult” decision in relation to Ancaster House in Crieff following a review.
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.
It is understood staff, residents and their families were told earlier this month that the home is to close later this year and that previous plans 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 care staff.
He went on to say: “I have contacted the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership on two occasions 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 to staff.”
Cllr Donaldson continued: “Right now, my main overriding concern is for the 29 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 as soon as possible.”
Perthshire South and Kinross-shire SNP MSP Jim Fairlie showed his support and 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 assist 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 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 understand this is a worrying time for residents and their families, and the wider community of the 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.”
