A long-established Perthshire care home is set to close with the loss of 37 jobs.
Businessman John Bryden has blamed a “perfect storm” for the imminent closure of Moncreiffe Care Home in Bridge of Earn, established by his late mother Helen in 1985.
He says the departure of an experienced manager, staffing challenges and the prospect of soaring energy bills on the back of the pandemic have prompted the move.
The nursing home’s 23 residents and 37 members of staff have been informed of the decision after a 90-day emergency closure alert.
Care home ‘unsustainable to operate’
“Sadly, for a number of reasons, Moncreiffe Care Home has become unsustainable to operate,” said Mr Bryden.
“As everyone is well aware, Covid impacted hugely on the care home sector. In common with homes across the country we faced enormous and at times traumatic challenges.
“It was all about crisis management in a bid to protect the health of our residents while, at times, we were down seven and eight members of staff who had to self-isolate.
“Now, as we emerge from that unprecedented crisis we are braced for eye-watering energy bills later in the year, ongoing staff shortages in the industry and rising maintenance costs for an ageing building.
“The departure of a highly-regarded care home manager was simply the straw which broke the camel’s back.”
Mr Bryden, 66, insists the painful decision to close the doors of the home – which was told to make improvements in 2019 after a critical care report – is a last resort.
He said: “Our priority throughout this process is the welfare of our residents, their families and our staff.
“Obviously it has been a sensitive situation and we took care to ensure they learned of the decision at the same time.
“This is the only time in my life I have had to close down a business. There have been a lot of sleepless nights trying to fathom out a way forward.
“The meeting with staff to inform them of the decision was heart-breaking. It was very emotional for everyone.
Working to find residents new homes
“We are working closely with Perth and Kinross Council’s social work department and the Care Inspectorate. They have both been very helpful and understanding.
“We are co-operating with social work to pinpoint suitable alternative accommodation for the residents.”
Moncreiffe Care Home, which is registered for 33 residents, was formerly the Moncreiffe Arms Hotel before the Bryden family converted the property nearly 40 years ago.
A spokesperson for the Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership called the closure “very sad”.
We are working… to ensure that every one of the current residents is supported to make a transition to a new home
Perth and Kinross Health and Social Care Partnership
They continued: As there is no plan to sell the business to another operator, the health and social care partnership is working closely with registered providers, the management team, residents, and families, as well as the Care Inspectorate to ensure that every one of the current Moncreiffe Care Home residents is supported to make a transition to a new home which will meet their individual requirements.
“It is a top priority for us to ensure that the quality of care and support remains high throughout and that any move is carried out in a way that respects the views of residents and their families.”
