HC-One has announced it is to close three dementia units operated in partnership with the NHS.

The care home operator said its working agreement with NHS Lanarkshire at Hatton Lea care home was “no longer fit for purpose”.

A spokesperson said: “Our number one priority is the safety and wellbeing of our residents. As a responsible provider of care, we will always acknowledge when our residents could be better supported elsewhere. In this instance, we have sadly had to conclude that Hatton Lea is no longer the best option for our residents with specialist dementia care needs.

“Like the NHS, our goal has always been to keep these care communities open. However, our working agreement with NHS Lanarkshire is no longer fit for purpose given advancements in specialist dementia care practice, and the resources which are now required to deliver a high-quality service of this nature. We have worked at length with our NHS partners to find a solution to this challenge and have explored all other options, but sadly we have been left with no choice but to close the three communities and to support our residents to find specialist care that can meet their needs elsewhere.

“We are continuing to work closely with NHS Lanarkshire to support our residents, families and colleagues. We will not move forward with the closure until every resident has been supported to find suitable alternative care. Hatton Lea will remain open, with our other two care communities continuing to operate as usual.”

Professor Ross McGuffie, chief officer, University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire, said: “The company which operates Hatton Lea care home has issued us with notice that it intends to terminate the contract for the Hospital Based Complex Clinical Care service.

“This decision was not the choice of University Health & Social Care North Lanarkshire or NHS Lanarkshire.

“We understand this unexpected news will cause significant uncertainty for the service’s residents and their carers.

“We will be carrying out a full review of each resident’s care. Our overriding priority is ensuring their continued safety, minimising distress and supporting them and their families through this process.

“Work is underway to rapidly identify a replacement service in a comfortable and homely environment. We are also providing support as necessary to staff to ensure the service’s residents remain everyone’s number one priority throughout the process.”