HC-One has cited “recruitment and retention” challenges in announcing the closure of four care homes.

The four homes effected are: The Elms, Cambridgeshire; Manor House, Cambridgeshire; Bereweeke Court, Hampshire; and Amerind Grove, Bristol.

A spokesperson for HC-One said last week: “For HC-One, the health, safety and wellbeing of the individuals we support are our top priorities. As such, we regularly assess the quality and suitability of the service we provide in our homes. We recognise that care needs are changing and continue to work towards best meeting these evolving needs by focusing and investing where we can have the most impact.

“Whilst we are announcing four home closures today, each decision has been taken individually and is based on specific local challenges which, despite dedicating significant attention and resource, we have been unable to overcome.

“We are working closely with the local authorities for each home and are supporting our residents, their loved ones and our colleagues through the closure process. We will only move forward with the closures of each home as it is safe to do so, and when our dedicated project teams have supported every resident to find suitable alternative care arrangements.”

The care home operator said a “failure in local leadership” had also contributed to the closure of The Elms in Cambridgeshire which has received a Notice on Decision from the CQC.

Commenting on the closure of The Elms and Manor House, Cambridgeshire County Councillor Richard Howitt, chair of the Adults and Health Committee, said: “We explored options to keep both homes open so that residents wouldn’t need to move, but HC-One were unable to support these.”

A spokesperson for CQC told Caring Times: “CQC has recently inspected The Elms Care Home and is in the process of preparing a report which will detail its findings and will be published in due course.

“CQC is unable to comment on any enforcement action taken against The Elms Care Home at the present time whilst any enforcement action is ongoing. With any enforcement action, a provider has the right to make representations and/or to appeal against any enforcement action taken and CQC cannot discuss this until the conclusion of all stages.     

 “CQC understands that in the meantime the care home provider, HC One, has decided to close the service itself, and is in the process of working with the local authority to move residents to other homes. Further information may be available at the conclusion of all CQC’s processes.”