Southwark Council is to buy HC-One’s Tower Bridge Care Home and seek a new operator for the service.

The council said it will look for a new provider to manage the 120 bed care home from October 2024 once the deal completes.

Cllr Evelyn Akoto, cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: “This is really good news for residents, staff, and indeed, our borough. By stepping in, we are protecting much-needed nursing home beds and local jobs in our borough. Residents will stay close to family and friends, which is so important. We will continue to work closely with HC-One to ensure a smooth handover in due course.”

Stephen Butterworth, chief operations officer at HC-One, said: “We believe that Tower Bridge Care Home will have a bright future under the tenure of Southwark Council who will enable the home to flourish. We are grateful for the council’s support to date, and we look forward to working with them over the coming months to support a successful transition, which will ensure the long-term care provision for the people of Southwark and employment for colleagues who work at the home.”

The care home, which is currently rated Requires Improvement, has had a troubled recent history.

It emerged last year following an investigation the care home had employed an 80-year-old nurse who had failed to call 999 after a resident, who later died, had they suffered a head injury. The care home was previously rated Inadequate before being upgraded to Requires Improvement in July 2023.

The decision to acquire Tower Bridge Care Home and procure a new provider will go to the council’s cabinet on Tuesday 6 February.