Devastation over future of care homes

Staff, residents and families at troubled Knoll House and The Homestead Care Homes have spoken of their devastation as they teeter on the brink of closure.

There are serious financial concerns surrounding Elysian Care Ltd, the company which owns the homes.

Wolverhampton, Dudley and Staffordshire County councils have all stepped in to support residents and staff at both Knoll House in Penn and The Homestead near Kinver, which is also owned by Elysian and has 25 residents aged up to 96.

The Wolverhampton home has 30 bedrooms and 18 residents, who were yesterday told to find new living arrangements. Families received telephone calls saying they needed to pick up their loved ones immediately.

Lynne Eagle, 66, of Wightwick, whose 92-year-old aunt is a resident at Knoll House, said: "This is just appalling.

"All I have had is a phone call saying they have to leave within 24 hours and absolutely no help other than that.

"Everyone here is of an age and they shouldn't be moved about like this. I was told on Tuesday that I had to find a new home for my aunty within a month and that was bad enough but then I received a call saying they had to be out right now.

"What about the people who don't have family and friends?

"I am terrified at breaking the news to my aunty that she has to move right away and this whole thing is disgusting."

Staff members brought the matter to the council, reporting that they had not been paid for the past two months. They said there was mass confusion over their futures now the residents were moving out.

One carer, who has been at Knoll House for 14 years, said: "We have carried on coming here out of the goodness of our hearts.

"We can't leave the residents without care, it isn't their fault that the owners are having money problems.

"It's not their fault that we haven't been getting paid either."

Wolverhampton City Council has now arranged for employees to be paid through its recruitment agency, Yoo Recruit but this will only cover work undertaken since last week. The council said it was also helping residents move to other facilities in the city.

Staffordshire County and Dudley councils meanwhile were focussing on The Homestead, advising people of alternative care providers.

Staffordshire's commissioner for older people, Helen Trousdale, said: "Staffordshire County Council has serious concerns around the financial viability of the company which owns and operates The Homestead, Elysian Care Limited."

Elysian Care Ltd, which also owns The Mill Hotel in Alveley near Bridgnorth, was unavailable for comment.