74 jobs lost with care home closure

74 jobs lost with care home closure

24 November 2015

SEVENTY four jobs will be lost in Ballynahinch following news that Oakridge Care Home will close.

Fifty eight elderly residents will also be affected by the decision to close the Magheraknock Road facility.

The announcement, which was made by Four Seasons Health Care this afternoon, has been blamed on underfunding and a shortage of permanent nursing staff.

A Four Seasons Health Care spokesman said the decision had not been taken lightly and was “difficult but unavoidable.”

“The fee income that the homes receive is below the cost of the care they are providing and we have effectively been paying a subsidy for them to continue to provide care,” he said.

“Additionally, the national shortage of nurses means it has been difficult to recruit and retain permanent staff of the right calibre. 

“This leaves the  homes reliant on temporary agency nurses in order to maintain staffing levels, that carries a high cost and presents challenges in maintaining the quality of care we expect to provide.”