The “care home crisis” in the borough worsened this week as it was revealed one of Southwark’s nine premises will be closing its doors.
The 35 older people from Southwark currently housed in Camberwell Green home will have to be re-housed elsewhere after the provider, HC-One, made the decision to close the facility
Southwark Council placed an embargo on Camberwell Green care home well over a year ago, preventing any elderly people being placed there until standards improved, after it was rated as ‘requiring improvement’ by health watchdog the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
The home will not close until all 35 residents are re-housed, but with two other homes in the borough in special measures, some residents may need to be moved outside of the borough.
A spokesperson for HC-One said the layout of the home made it difficult to provide a high standard of care – with rooms spread across four floors and limited outdoor and communal space. Recruiting and retaining enough staff in a nationwide nursing shortage has also been a challenge, despite ongoing efforts at the home.
“Having reviewed the situation carefully, and in consultation with the Local Authority and local CCG [Clinical Commissioning Group], we have taken the difficult decision to close the home.
“Over the coming weeks we will be working closely with residents, their loved ones, Southwark Council, and Southwark CCG, to ensure residents are offered places at other care homes of their choice and which meet their individual care needs. This has been a very difficult decision, but one made in the best interests of our residents. Their health, safety and wellbeing is always our top priority,” said the spokesperson, who added staff at the home would also be supported to find roles in other HC-One homes.
Cllr Stephanie Cryan, Southwark’s cabinet member for adult care and financial inclusion, described the decision to close as “extremely disappointing” after “significant efforts” were made to improve the care services at the home over the last six months.
“Our overriding priority is the residents of this care home. We will work closely with NHS CCG colleagues and HC-one to ensure that suitable alternative arrangements are made that meet individual needs, that relatives are well supported and that this is handled with the sensitivity and respect that our residents deserve.”
Last month the News reported that Burgess Park care home was rated ‘inadequate’ by the CQC and put into special measures alongside Tower Bridge care home, also run by HC-One.
Liberal Democrat councillor, Maria Lyndforth-Hall, previously told the News that a council embargo on three out of nine homes in the borough was leading to a “care home crisis”, where residents would need to be placed outside of Southwark.