Young dementia patients to be relocated from March care home

Four Seasons Health Care say that it would be in the best interests of the 14 younger dementia sufferers “to be relocated to an alternative unit that is better suited to cater for their particular needs”.

Heron House provides elderly dementia nursing and elderly residential care together with care for a small number of young people with dementia, with accommodation for up to 95 residents.

A spokesman said: “We plan to carry out improvements to the facility. We have reviewed the needs of residents and their care plans and we consider it would be in the best interests of some of the 14 younger dementia residents who are currently in the home to be relocated to an alternative unit that is better suited to cater for their particular needs.

“We are consulting about the best interests of individual residents with their families, the Primary Care Trust, Mental Health Team, Local Authority Care Commissioners and Safeguarding team, the Care Quality Commission and advocates. No final decisions have been taken about transfers.

The spokesman added: “The wellbeing of our residents is our primary concern throughout and we will work with the families and relevant authorities to ensure a seamless transition to a more suitable environment.

“We appreciate that it will take time to determine the most appropriate placements for these residents and we envisage an eight week timescale. However, we will allow as long as it takes and no-one will move until we are satisfied their best interests are being served.”

After inspectors from the Care Quality Commission visited the home in July last year, they concluded that Heron House met every standard required, in regard to treatment, care, safety and staffing. But it said improvements were required in regard to record keeping and the reporting of incidents that affect the health and safety of residents, and the home was given 14 days to report its compliance.