Liverpool Care Homes Threatened With Closure To Remain Open Following Transfer

Two Liverpool care homes which were set to close are to remain open and will be transferred to another operator.

An agreement has now been reached with provider Bloomcare which means that Brushwood care home in Speke and Millvina care home in Everton will remain open.

Healthcare provider Bloomcare has reached an agreement with Liverpool which means that Brushwood care home in Speke and Millvina care home in Everton will remain open.

Last summer, operator Shaw Healthcare gave notice that it wished to cease as provider as it was no longer viable, largely due to low occupancy linked to the coronavirus pandemic.In September, an interim agreement was reached which meant that Shaw Healthcare would be able to keep the two homes open until the spring, while talks took place to find another operator.

Bloomcare is a locally based care operator with experience of providing good quality dementia, nursing and residential care across Liverpool City region and the north west.

Staff will transfer to the new operator on their current terms and conditions, and existing residents will have their care protected with no top-up fees.

Acting Mayor, Councillor Wendy Simon, said: “I know there was a huge amount of concern from residents and relatives about the proposed closure of the homes, and this news will come as a great relief to them.

“We have been working hard behind the scenes over the last few months to identify a new operator committed to the long term future of both sites and we are delighted to have reached an agreement with Bloomcare.

“For residents, this provides certainty that they can stay in the homes with the same care. For staff, it means they will continue to be employed on the same terms and conditions.”

Cabinet member for adult social care and health, Councillor Paul Brant, added: “We listened to the concerns of relatives and acted on it, so I am delighted that we have had success in being able to find a new organisation to take on these valued facilities in Everton and Speke.

“It is also welcome news that they continue to operate in the guise that they were specifically built for – providing quality care for some of our most vulnerable residents.”

Audrey Tan, Operations Director at Bloomcare, said: “We are thrilled to be able to incorporate the operation of Millvina and Brushwood into our company vision of providing excellence in dementia care across the North West. It is our pleasure to be able to provide the continuity of care needed during these challenging times.

“We are honoured for the opportunity to steward Brushwood and Millvina, and we look forward to building on the existing relationships within the community and welcoming all staff and residents to our Bloomcare family.”