'Inadequate' Sheffield care home to close for refurbishment

Warren Park Care Home in Chapeltown was twice rated 'inadequate' - the lowest possible score - by inspectors from government watchdog the Care Quality Commission.

The most recent report, published in July, criticised staffing levels, training and supervision at the home in White Lane.

A new management team brought in to address the shortcomings plans to close the home for refurbishment before re-opening next spring as a residential home, which will no longer provide specialist nursing care.

Nick Farmer, operations director at Astonbrook Care Homes, which manages Warren Park, said the temporary closure was proposed following an 'in-depth review' and discussions with the CQC and commissioners from the local authority.

"It has been a difficult decision but we believe it is in the best interests of all our stakeholders particularly those in our care that we move quickly to close the home for a short period," he said.

"This will enable us to reconfigure and refurbish the buildings to reflect the quality and standards of residential care we want to offer our future residents."

A spokesman for Astonbrook told The Star the national shortage of trained nursing staff had played a part in the decision.

He said on Tuesday that the transfer of patients was already underway, with 13 currently remaining at the 60-room home. He added that it was not decided at this stage whether Warren Park would re-open under a new name.

Astonbrook said it was consulting with 28 staff at Warren Park, who it hoped would be able to accept temporary posts at the group's other homes in the area during the closure, before returning.

The Star also understands that another care home in Sheffield is due to close in December.

A member of staff at Croftacres Residential Home, in Hibberd Road, Malin Bridge, said the home was set to close on December 16, but the independent care home has failed to respond to The Star's requests for further information.

Croftacres was told by the CQC in May last year that it 'requires improvement', with inspectors raising concerns at the time about a shortage of staff.

A Sheffield Council spokesperson said: "There are around 3,800 care home beds across the city and around 170 are vacant at any one time.

"The council doesn’t run any care homes but we can help people to choose a care home for a loved one. We also fund more than 21,000 hours of home support each week and help hundreds of older people every month access the support they need to stay independent, safe and well. We are also making more respite options and support available for carers."

The Star reported earlier this month how Sheffield's last remaining specialist dementia care home, Hurlfield View, is set to close by March next year.

Sheffield Council said at the time it was confident the places and support currently provided there would continue to be available elsewhere after its closure.