Residents given two days to move as Darlaston care home suddenly closes
A care home that was under special measures for failing to feed residents enough has suddenly closed down.
Family members of elderly people staying at C&V Orchard Residential Care Home in Station Street, Darlaston, were told on Friday that they had two days to move out.
It follows a damning CQC report in November where the home’s rating slipped from requires improvement to inadequate after failing to ensure residents had enough food and drink.
Staff were also condemned for failing to have the knowledge and skill to move patients which put them at risk of harm.
Linda Smith, aged 64, who has bi-polar disorder, lived at the home and her son Jason Smith, aged 45 from Wednesbury, said they were given until Sunday to move her belongings out.
She is currently at Walsall Manor Hospital being treated for chest flu and they only found out when he called to check on her. He said: “It is going to knock her back a step to how she was.
“Moving her around will cause her bi-polar to kick in because she gets into a routine and it is hard to get her into one but now she has lived there and got to know the place and people but now it is a step backwards.”
She is one of up to 32 elderly residents, some of whom have dementia, who lived at the home and had two days to find a new place to live.
Councillor Diane Coughlan, spokeswoman for adult social care at Walsall Council: “Issues at this privately owned home were identified by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) during its inspection process and shared with us and other partner agencies.
"Further CQC inspections showed no improvement.
“A decision was taken last weekend to move residents to alternative provision and ensure good quality care for them.
"Our primary concern throughout has been welfare of the residents and to minimise any disruption.
“A team of experienced staff worked closely with residents and their families to ensure a smooth transition took place with all residents now settled receiving care to meet their individual needs.
"I’d like to express my thanks to council officers who have successfully moved vulnerable residents with the utmost care and compassion.
"Staff at the former home are also being offered support to help them secure alternative employment."
No one from C & V Orchard Residential Limited was available for comment.
