Published: Thursday, 27th July 2023
Earlier this year the council was made aware by the owner that Chadderton Total Care was facing financial difficulties following challenging times for the health and care sector.
Sadly this situation deteriorated further and the home went into administration with a significant risk of closure putting 200 staff including nurses specialist support workers and front-line carers’ jobs at risk.
Around 100 residents many with complex needs requiring specialist nursing care would have had to be relocated probably outside the borough away from families.
The council considered that this would have a highly negative impact on the wellbeing and health of the residents as well as resulting in a loss of jobs and so the Cabinet agreed that the council should step in to protect both staff and residents.
Oldham Council Cabinet Member for Health and Social Care, Cllr Barbara Brownridge said “This is a very challenging time for the health and care industry as a result of rising inflation and energy costs and staffing pressures which significantly affect how care homes can operate.
“This is the second largest care home that provides nursing care in the borough and its closure would affect hundreds of people who we have a duty to protect. In addition, the need for nursing care would put increased pressure on the NHS and meant that it would be more difficult to discharge patients from hospital because of the shortage of beds. It was, therefore, ethically and legally right to take steps to allow the continued operation of this home so that staff and residents would experience as little disruption as possible.
“The staff have done an excellent job and we thank them for their efforts during this difficult time.”
The specialist nursing expertise available at Chadderton Total Care means there would have been a knock-on effect on the NHS and patient care, with the home’s closure creating a “bed blocking” situation. This is when patients who no longer require hospital care cannot be discharged until accommodation can be found that can meet their needs – such as residential care homes.
Oldham Council Leader, Cllr Arooj Shah said: “Keeping people employed and vulnerable residents safe is our priority here so I’m glad that we’ve been able to make that happen.
“But there is a wider issue that we have had to work quickly to prevent, and this is the risk to NHS care in Oldham. The NHS is already struggling, and a complete closure of Chadderton Total Care would have undoubtedly created a bed blocking situation.
“Acquiring the home is not a decision we’ve taken lightly but the alternative was cruel, with job losses for hardworking staff, vulnerable people being forced to move and the wider risk to patient care in Oldham. We've taken this action to make sure this doesn’t happen.”
Adult social care is the biggest expense for the council taxpayers in Oldham and elderly care makes up most of the cost. The Government has pushed back plans to reform adult social care, with no additional relief for care homes that are struggling to provide essential care.
Oldham Total Care is wholly owned by Oldham Council and will now run the company on behalf of the council.