Another Liverpool care home is set to close its doors, leaving families facing the prospect of having to move their loved ones just days after Christmas.
St Martin's care home in Old Swan is set to close after operator Maria Mallaband notified Liverpool Council it was no longer financially viable to run.
A family member of a resident told the ECHO that families had been given a 90 day notice period to find new accommodation for their loved ones which expires on December 27.
It comes just a week after mayor Joe Anderson announced that successful negotiations had averted the immediate threat of closure from two council-built care homes, though they are only guaranteed to stay open until the spring.
A spokeswoman for St Martin's, a 42 bed home described on its website as providing a "home from home feel", said they were providing as much assistance for relatives as possible.
She said: “It is with deep regret that we have taken the difficult decision to not continue to provide a care service at St Martins Care Home
“As we all know both commissioners and providers of social care face significant challenges at present.
“We have, unfortunately, reached a stage at St Martins we are unable to continue because of current market challenges, despite the best efforts of the staff team.
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“We understand that residents and relatives will be concerned and worried by this decision.
“We are working closely with the local commissioners and would like to assure people that we will do our best to provide as much assistance as possible to help with finding alternative placements.”
A Liverpool Council spokesman confirmed it had received notification from Maria Mallaband that they planned to close the home and cabinet member for health Paul Brant warned the pandemic had left many homes in a precarious position.
Councillor Brant said: “This will be a really concerning time for all the residents and their families at St Martin’s. Our social care staff are working hard to identify suitable alternative accommodation for those affected and make sure the transfer is as smooth as possible.
“The recent drop in demand for care home places right across the country as a result of the coronavirus pandemic is a real concern as it has left some homes really struggling.”
Adult social care providers in Liverpool and across the country have been under extreme pressure in recent years, with many criticising the financial model for funding the current system.
Two state of the art council-built care homes in Speke and Everton faced closure this month because they had become financially unviable.
Only opened last year, Brushwood and Mullvina care homes were paid for by the council but operated by Shaw Healthcare, which said Covid, combined with other pressures in adult social care, had badly hit its business.
The council has now said the homes, which provide specialist dementia care, will stay open until the spring.
