Somerset Care considers closure of Critchill Court care home amid financial strain

SOMERSET Care, which operates Critchill Court care home in Frome, says it is consulting on the closure of the care home following what they describe as rising costs and the “chronic underfunding” of the adult social care sector.

News of the potential closure of the care home has sparked concern from town councillors, local MP Sarah Dyke and relatives of residents at the care home. The closure of the care home would also mean that staff could be at risk of redundancies; the consultation will also look at ways to avoid this situation should the care home close.

Local councillor Martin Dimery has also sought clarification that, should the care home close, residents will not be moved away from the Frome area. Somerset Care say that they have engaged with their care commissioner, Somerset Council, about the proposal to close the care home and added that they will do “everything possible to support all impacted residents and colleagues during this period of consultation.”

Somerset Care, which also operates the Sunnymeade care home in Chard, which is also being considered for closure, says that Critchill Court was built to meet the care requirements and living standards of the 1970s – 1980s and that it is unable to keep pace with the “increasingly complex” care requirements of 2024 and beyond.

A Frome resident who has a family member at the care home and wishes to remain anonymous says the closure would be a big blow for the residents.

“Critchill Court is such a lovely place, it would be a great loss if they decided to close its doors,” he said. “My wife attended the care home; it’s where my brother-in-law is staying currently, and I’ve always said that if I needed to, I would happily stay there if I needed to—it’s that good! Any closure would be a big blow, but it’s my understanding that things have just gotten too expensive to continue running the home, so it seems inevitable.”

A spokesperson for Somerset Care said, “The sad truth is that [both Critchill Court and Sunnymeade’s] dated and restrictive layouts, high running costs, repair and maintenance requirements mean that they are no longer financially viable, environmentally sustainable or fit to safely meet the care needs of the future.

“Somerset Care is not immune to the financial challenges faced by the wider care sector. The much- publicised chronic underfunding of the adult social care sector on a national level, along with the financial emergency declared by Somerset Council, mean that the local authority care fees we receive do not meet the real cost of delivering the care which we are being asked to provide.

“In addition, our own operating and maintenance costs, energy and food bills, have all materially increased. This leaves us with no choice but to make difficult decisions to ensure the financial security and long-term sustainability of Somerset Care, and, more importantly, the safety and quality of the services which we deliver. We are truly sorry that we have been left with no alternative but to propose the closure of these care homes.

“We have secured the assistance of the Somerset Council Adult Social Care Team to independently assess the care needs of all residents at these homes. Where care requirements can be safely and effectively fulfilled within an alternative Somerset Care residential setting, we will gladly support individuals to transition and settle into their new home.

“Unfortunately, the jobs of all colleagues who work at these homes are at risk of redundancy. The purpose of the consultation, is to ascertain whether there are ways of avoiding redundancies. If redundancies become necessary, we will consult on opportunities for redeployment. We value our people, and the success of Somerset Care over the last three decades is due to their collective contribution and commitment.”

An online petition was set up to “make sure Somerset Care care home closures are given more thought before action was taken”, but Somerset Care says that this petition sits outside of their official legal consultation that is currently taking place and that it cannot influence its outcome.

To view the petition, search Stop Somerset Care Closures in Somerset (Frome: Critchill Court / Chard: Sunnymeade) on change.org

Reactions from councillors and MP

Cllr Martin Dimery, whose Frome West division includes Critchill Court, says he has sought confirmation that residents will not be moved away from Frome.

He said, “As the Somerset ward councillor I was not given any prior warning due to the ‘commercial sensitivity’ of this decision. I have expressed my dismay that councillors are not to be trusted with information of this kind. Somerset Council is responsible for the placement of care home residents and the quality of the care provided, but the privatisation of the service means the council cannot prevent the closure of the home.

“I have every sympathy with those affected by this decision. My mother recently passed away whilst in residential care. I can only imagine the anxiety it would have caused her, our nearby family, and the staff, if given notice that she was to be moved to another home, not of her choosing.

“I have sought clarification from Adult Social Care at Somerset, that residents will not be moved away from the Frome area. I was told that every effort would be made to accommodate residents locally, but that official policy allows placements to be offered up to 30 miles away. Given Frome’s considerable distance from other Somerset towns, I have requested that residents be offered placements in Wiltshire or Bath and North Somerset homes, if they are more convenient and accessible than those within Somerset. I am told this is possible.

“Critchill Court could, in theory, be taken over by another provider. As yet, I have no information as to what may happen to the building. I have asked to be kept informed of any further developments.”

Sarah Dyke MP has called for calm over the possible closure of the care home.

She said, “There’s a lot of misinformation circulating about Critchill Court and Sunnymeade and that’s very distressing for residents and their families. Obviously, this is an anxious time for them and anything that adds to their distress is unwelcome.

“I want to make clear that Somerset Care’s decision to consult about closure has nothing to do with Somerset Council. The council is absolutely committed to protecting the well-being of the vulnerable elderly people in its care and both councillors and officers are working hard to find a way through this.

“I’ve reached out to all of the key stakeholders. We must now allow them time to go through this consultation process.”