Proposals to Close Bexhill on Sea Care Home Announced

Residents and staff at MHA Richmond care home in Bexhill on Sea run by Methodist Homes (MHA) are being consulted on proposals to close the home.

Under the proposals, residents will be offered the opportunity to move to nearby MHA Lauriston at St Leonard’s along with the majority of staff.

The decision is not connected with the pandemic but relates to how the home has struggled in recent years with occupancy as well as difficulties in attracting staff in the Bexhill area.

MHA’s Director of Operations Dan Ryan said: “Closing a home is always a difficult decision and not one which MHA takes lightly. It is our aim that residents and the majority of staff will be offered the opportunity to move to MHA Lauriston, where we will be able to create an even more vibrant community for our residents and the people who care for them.

“It will help create a home where people’s needs can continue to be met should they become more complex over time. Over the years, a number of residents at MHA Richmond have moved to MHA Lauriston so they can be cared for safely due to their increasing needs. In addition, staff have occasionally worked across both homes.

“Residents who move will also have access to MHA’s chaplaincy support service, increased music therapy for those living with dementia and nursing care should they need it in the future and we can continue to offer quality and safe care for all our residents.”

A feasibility study into the future of the Richmond site on Collington Lane East has been carried out by MHA. The charity had hoped to use it for retirement living with care if the closure goes ahead, but the review showed the site was not large enough for this re-development. If the proposal to close the home goes through, the site will be put up for sale and MHA will re-invest the money into its services for older people.