DOZEN of elderly residents, some with dementia, face an uncertain future following the closure of two care homes.

Shawe Lodge Nursing Home in Barton Road, Urmston, and Shawe House Care Home in Pennybridge Lane, Flixton, will close next month.

Operator Ampersand Care Ltd said its decision to close the premises was based on being unable to increase the fees for residents and uncertainty that it would be able to meet the care needs of residents in the future.

Ampersand Care director Umi Barwell said: “We are heartbroken that we have had to take this incredibly difficult decision.

“Our priority is always to provide the best care for residents, and we are working closely with every family to find alternative places that are right for each resident.

“The distressing fact is that we are simply not able to provide the levels of care they rightly expect under the current funding arrangement.”

She said that fees being paid by Trafford Council over recent years were failing to meet its operating costs.

In addition, Ampersand Care said a lack of support or willingness to work in partnership from the national care regulator, the Care Quality Commission (CQC), had led to the decision.

“We recognise that local authorities are under huge budget pressures, but social care is vitally important for our ageing population.

“At the same time, the CQC has failed to support the provider in seeking alternative solutions. A period of six weeks for this investment was deemed inappropriate by the CQC and consequently the company has no choice but to close both homes.”

An inspection of Shawe Lodge, which was published by the Care Quality Commission in March, 2017, reported that it required improvement for its then 41 dementia patients.

A similar report into Shawe House, published in June, 2017, also deemed it as requiring improvement for its then 27 residents, which resulted in Trafford Council putting a temporary suspension on new admissions until the improvements were made.

Ms Barwell added: “We cannot cut corners in care provision. It’s not fair on residents, on their families, or on the dedicated people who work in the care profession. I hope this case acts as a wakeup call to the council. Otherwise other care providers may face the same situation.

“The priority now is to ensure that residents at both homes are helped to find alternative placements that meet their individual care needs.”

A council spokesman said: "Trafford Council and Trafford Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) have received formal notification from Ampersand Care Ltd that it plans to close two of the nursing homes that they run — Shawe House and Shawe Lodge in Urmston.

"This decision has not been taken lightly and is due to a combination of regulatory and industry pressures.

The company has worked hard to maintain the high standards of care demanded by the CQC and commissioning authorities, as well as financial viability, but, unfortunately, this has become increasingly difficult and they are unable to continue with the operation of the homes.

"Our priority is to ensure the least disruption possible to residents and their families and to support them during this difficult time. We will attend relatives’ meetings to answer any questions and deal with concerns.

"All residents will be helped to seek alternative accommodation which is suitable to meet their needs.”