States close their own nursing home over standards fears

Wednesday 09 December 2015

The States are closing the Limes nursing home and finding new homes for its 25 residents because it doesn’t meet modern standards.

The home in Green Street is being shut down in April, and its 40 staff will be found new jobs within the Health department.

Health Minister Andrew Green announced the decision this morning, saying that although the staff delivered excellent care, the building itself was not fit for purpose and would cost too much to bring up to standard.

He said that the residents would be moved out by April and would be found new homes – but that there would be no problem finding room for them, and that there would be no financial impact.

“There is enough capacity to take up those people, and there is new capacity coming up very soon,” said Senator Green.

“The cost is not an issue. Whether it’s a nursing home provided by us or others, the Long Term Care Allowance applies anyway.”

It costs the States around £1.8 million to keep the Limes open every year.

Health say that some of the issues with the building are about narrow corridors and small rooms, and that it is difficult to get some of the necessary equipment into individual rooms.

The other uses on the site – social housing and a day care centre – will continue as normal.