The safety and well-being of thirty three of Cornwall’s most vulnerable residents has been secured, following the unprecedented decision by Cornwall Council to step in and purchase a nursing home in St Day. The Corserv Group will take on operational responsibility for the home.
Trefula House provides vital nursing and residential care for up to 44 people with complex needs and dementia.
Authority was delegated to the Strategic Director for Adult Social Care, in consultation with Cornwall Council portfolio holder for adults, Rob Rotchell at Cabinet on 19 June, to allow for a financial viability process to take place, prior to confirming the transfer of the home to Cornwall Council.
Cornwall Council cabinet portfolio holder for adults Rob Rotchell said: “This is the right decision for the council to make under these extreme circumstances. Our priority, first and foremost, is the welfare and care of those vulnerable individuals who currently live there, who otherwise would have had their lives disrupted with very little notice. They would more than likely have been taken to homes outside of Cornwall, away from their family, friends and all that is familiar to them.”
“We are working with residents, their families and staff to make sure that everyone is reassured and confident in the care they receive and in the ongoing management of the home.”
Local member for Carharrack, Gwennap and St Day, Mark Kaczmarek said: “I’m very pleased that action has been taken to immediately secure the home so that residents will not face any disruption and that staff can continue to work to support them.”
Corserv’s community care business, which includes care services STEPS and Corcare, will be managing Trefula House in partnership with Cornwall Council. They bring expertise in providing care and support for people with a mix of different needs and are best placed to improve the standards and quality of care to residents.
Damian McGowan, interim managing director at Cormac community care services said: “Working together with Cornwall Council gives us the opportunity to bring in our dedicated and highly-trained team to increase the quality of care that the residents will receive. It also means that they can continue to live in a place that they are familiar with and which is close to friends and family. Taking over the management in this instance reflects our commitment to the care sector and our shared values with the Council.”
The Corserv Group, as an arms-length body, is able to work quickly, safeguarding vulnerable adults when the care market finds itself in difficulties, as it did with Allied Healthcare’s Cornish business recently.
Cornwall Council states that this decision does not set a precedent for any future failing care homes. This is an extraordinary case where the impact on the people living there and the financial viability of the health and care system as a whole would have been severely affected.
The council is working with the previous home owners and partners to plan the ongoing management of the home.
