Bosses at a private health care firm are on the brink of closing a 54-bed home – amid warnings the move could “devastate” a north-east community.
Four Seasons has yet to make a final decision on the future of its facility at Turriff.
But The Press and Journal understands the company is on the verge of axeing it and is due to hold talks with residents, their families and staff on Monday.
The town could be left with no independent care home, following the closure of the Renaissance-run Glenesk premises earlier this year, which forced more than 20 residents to find new accommodation.
Fours Seasons said last night it was “considering options” for Turriff Care Home.
Doubts about its future emerged against a backdrop of financial uncertainty for the firm and a series of critical inspection reports.
In January this year inspectors branded the purpose-built facility at Woodlands Crescent weak across the board following an unannounced visit.
Concerns were raised about infection control and staff supervision.
Inspectors returned to the premises in March and graded the home unsatisfactory in three out of four categories, the worst grade possible.
The senior inspector concluded: “The service did not have a full-time manager and the temporary management arrangement was not working well.
“The staff were not working well together and the quality of residents’ care had got worse since the last inspection.”
Last night, a spokeswoman for Four Seasons said: “We are considering options for Turriff Care Home and as part of this process we will consult with Aberdeenshire Council and the Care Inspectorate.
“The wellbeing of people living in the home is our first priority and when we have finalised our plans we will discuss them first with our residents, their relatives and the home staff.”
The spokeswoman added that since the last visit by inspectors, her team had drawn up a “comprehensive improvement plan”.
Both the local authority and the Care Inspectorate confirmed they were liaising with Four Seasons about the future of the home and residents.
A spokesperson for the Care Inspectorate said: “We have been in close contact with this service provider and have been kept informed of developments at the service since our last inspection in March.
“We are working closely with the service and the local authority to ensure that residents needs are met and their rights respected.”
And a spokesman for Aberdeenshire Council’s social work and housing service added: “We understand that Four Seasons Health Care are considering options for Turriff Care Home and they will be speaking to us and the Care Inspectorate as part of that process.”
Eilidh Whiteford, MP for Banff and Buchan and the SNP parliamentary group’s spokeswoman for social justice, work and pensions, said she was monitoring the situation.
She said: “I appreciate that Four Seasons Healthcare have their own, well-publicised, problems with financial performance but with the recent closure of another care home in Turriff, it would seem to me that there is a strong business case for provision of a care home in Turriff.
“I hope that the company’s meeting with the council can produce an outcome that is in the interests of residents of the home and for the provision of care in the Turriff area.”
Local councillors spoke out over the closure of Glenesk earlier this year and last night reiterated those concerns.
Councillor Anne Robertson, a member of the local authority’s social work and housing committee, said: “I think they’ve had some difficulty recruiting senior management for the home.
“To lose another 54 care beds from this area will be quite devastating, if that is the outcome.
“There was a lot of local disquiet around the closure of Glenesk and the loss of that provision. The fact they’ve even begun discussion of closure is of grave concern.”
Her committee colleague, Councillor Alisan Norrie, said she would be “disappointed” if Four Seasons decided to close the home but did not want to comment further until a formal decision has been made.
And Turriff councillor Sandy Duncan added: “I’d be very concerned if it’s true. To lose another care home in Turriff puts a lot of pressure on the council.”
It is understood senior management at the care home will meet staff and residents on Monday.