At Guild Care’s AGM in September 2011, the Trustees announced plans to build a new 84-bed care home in Worthing to meet the needs of the changing care environment and to eventually replace their older homes. On Tuesday 10 January Guild Care’s Chief Executive explained to residents and relatives at Ashmount why a decision had been made to close the home in Southey Road, Worthing over the next six months.
Suzanne Millard said ‘following a survey of remedial works by our Maintenance Department and a recent review by the West Sussex Fire Service, our Board of Trustees have regretfully taken the very difficult decision to close our Ashmount home in Southey Road, Worthing earlier than expected. It is Guild Care’s intention that every resident will be assisted to move into one of our other care homes, Irene House, Caer Gwent or Linfield, which are all located within a mile of Ashmount and Ashmount’s staff offered positions within our other services.’
Debbie Dollner, Operations Director (Care Homes) said ‘the reason for the closure is that we are unable to guarantee continued delivery of the quality of service our residents have a right to expect at Ashmount. In particular we have a duty of care to our residents and wish to avoid an emergency closure situation arising from a serious failure of equipment such as the lift or the fabric of the building such as the roof.’
Guild Care has a very good record of responding to the needs of local people and a long history of providing good quality care and accommodation. Suzanne Millard said ‘We understand that this is an extremely difficult decision for our residents, their relatives and staff to take on board but I would like to reassure you that Guild Care will do everything possible to ensure that the closure of the home takes place in a planned manner and in a way that maintains the wellbeing of our residents.’
Over the next few weeks all residents and their relatives will be offered one-to-one meetings with senior staff to discuss their individual needs and requirements. Should residents or their families prefer to move to another provider who is perhaps better placed to meet their needs, Guild Care will support them fully.
Lindsey Borrego, HR Director said ’We have a very committed and dedicated staff team in Ashmount and we hope to offer the majority of staff alternative positions within our other services and most care staff will be found positions within our other homes.’
After the meeting Suzanne Millard added 'whilst everyone was clearly upset our offer of alternative accommodation and employment has greatly relieved peoples' fears and will make the process far less stressful for everyone concerned.'