Care home to shut down with staff to lose jobs and 70 residents told to move

More than 70 elderly residents need to be relocated and care staff will lose their jobs after a care home in Oldham announced it will be shutting down. Acorn Lodge in Failsworth is due to close in July, leaving many relatives ‘worried’ about their vulnerable relatives.

Oldham Property Investment, who run the home, said they would have to close on July 31 due to ‘increased financial challenges beyond our control’, which has led to their decision to sell the building. 

In a letter to relatives, Mathew Hughes,  director of the Wolverhampton-based company, said: “It is with a heavy heart and deep regret that we must announce the impending closure of Acron Lodge Care Home. 

“The decision has not been made lightly and comes after extensive deliberation of alternatives.”

He promised the company would be working together with the council and relatives to find a new home for the 74 residents in the care home, which specialises in dementia and mental health care.

But many relatives, who pay around £700 a week for the private nursing home, say they are ‘gutted’ by the news. Vivian, whose 85-year-old husband joined the care home after a nasty fall, said he would be ‘upset’ about having to move – but the real concern was people receiving end-of-life care or who suffer from dementia. 

“They won’t last the move, I don’t think,” she said. “I think some of them will just give up.” 

Vivian also noted that it would be difficult to find alternative places that are close to relatives’ homes, with most other care homes in the area already over-subscribed.

She added: “The staff are also really lovely – and they’re devastated, some of them were crying today. They’ve all lost their jobs.”

The council has promised to support the staff at Acorn Lodge.

A spokesperson said: “The welfare of both the residents and staff at the home are our upmost priority so we will also work in partnership with the Get Oldham Working Team to support staff to seek alternative employment if required.”

They also noted that an agreement had been struck with Oldham Property Investment, so that if residents had not been relocated by July 31, the care home would stay open until everyone had found a new home.

They said: “In such an eventuality Oldham Property Investments Limited have given Oldham Council assurances that they will continue to meet the needs of residents at Acorn Lodge for as long as it remains feasible and in the interests of residents.”

Relatives and residents have been invited to a meeting at 7PM tomorrow (May 9) to discuss the closure.