Care home closure like losing your family, says Cimla resident

By Aimee Thomas & Maria Cassidy

BBC News

A former resident of a care home which is closing after having its funding withdrawn said leaving the facility was like “losing your family”.

Almost 70 residents at Hollins Care Centre in Cimla, Neath Port Talbot, are moving out and 94 staff members are looking for new jobs.

Neath Port Talbot Council terminated its contract with the home because it said certain standards had not been met. But the owner of the privately-run care home, Ben Jenkins, disputes the council’s findings.

Rita Riddell, 75, who had lived at the care home with her husband Brian for the past year, was moved out of the home last week. 

She said the changes meant she could only see her family once a week, instead of twice, because her new care home was too far to travel to.

“We’re all upset, every one of us. It’s just so quick,” Mrs Riddell said.

“We’ve got used to everyone and they’re like family. It’s like losing your family.

“I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it and I’ve been well looked after. All the carers are fantastic.”

BBC Wales has spoken to a number of relatives about the closure. Some said there were issues with the care given at the home, while others were pleased.

Neath Port Talbot Council, which commissions placements at the home, said it recently became aware of concerns relating to its delivery of care. 

The council said these included insufficient staffing levels, poor hygiene and infection control, a lack of dignity towards residents and medication management. 

The council said it regretted that “some residents and families felt hurried” and that the “number of spaces available at alternative care homes were limited”.

It said all families had been informed of the decision by telephone, which was then followed by a letter to all residents.

Helen Davies, senior carer at Hollins Care Centre, described the last few weeks as “heart breaking” for both staff and residents. 

“I love it here. I came here as an agency worker to pick up one or two shifts and I never left,” she said.

“It’s really hard. None of us want to go.”

She said hearing the “standards of care have not been met” was a “kick in the guts” for the carers.

Ms Davies, along other staff members, have expressed concerns about finding new work as Christmas approaches. 

“We haven’t been given an actual date of closure so if I apply for a job, I can’t say ‘I can start on 1 December’ because we don’t know when the doors are going to close,” she said.

The care home’s owner, Ben Jenkins, said the facility was “not perfect”.

“We have been struggling to invest and improve refurbishments in the home. But this does not impact the delivery of the care that we and our staff offer at the home,” Mr Jenkins said.

“We have found no evidence that suggests the reason for this action.”

He added: “I would point you in the direction of our last Care Inspectorate Wales report that took place two months ago where it found no concerns with care.”

The staff at the home are employed directly by Hollins Care Centre.

The council said it had been in contact with the care home’s trade union representative, offering support and assistance for employment-related matters.

Neath Port Talbot Council and Swansea Bay University Health Board said in a joint statement that the welfare and wellbeing of care home residents was of paramount importance. 

“When the council commissions placements at a privately managed care home, regular reviews and information sharing takes place to ensure standards are met to safeguard residents,” the statement continued.

“As a last resort, when the council becomes aware of concerns such as standards not being met, action is then taken by the council to safeguard those placed there.”

The council said it was working with the health board to relocate residents over the coming weeks and months. 

GMB, the union which represents the care home’s staff, said it had met with its members and would support them throughout the process.

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