Southport Residential Home Manager’s Dismay Over Empty Beds.
We are continually told that social care is in crisis! Southport hospital crammed with patients bed-blocking, elderly in the community receiving poor or inadequate care, and social workers close to meltdown due to the lack of resources. So how is it that Southport has residential care homes with multiple empty beds? Helen Eslick and her Compliance and Support Manager Katie Howard are dismayed and frustrated with the ongoing situation. Helen owner and registered manager of The Hollies Residential Care Home on Mornington Road said ‘We used to be permanently full, however over the last year our occupancy has dramatically reduced due to lack of referrals from the local hospital or social services. Yet we see that the system can’t cope with the increase in elderly who are now so frail they are unable to look after themselves at home. We would all like to remain at home but at some point additional 24/7 care is required. Residential care is an affordable and much more economic care package for these lovely people. We shouldn’t be in a position we have empty beds.’
Recently, Helen was visited by Damien Moore MP for Southport who commented how homely The Hollies is. Helen mentioned the ongoing situation and the lack of referrals. The MP has promised to investigate and report back.
Jonathan Cunningham MBE Chair of the North and South Sefton Care Home Group said ‘Regrettably Helen’s situation is not uncommon across Sefton. Many smaller residential care providers are struggling with decreasing occupancy at a time when we need these providers the most. I call upon the local Acute Trusts, Clinical Commissioning Group and Sefton Social Services to seek an urgent solution to this. We all agree that keeping mum or dad at home for the longest period is what is required but there comes a point when these residential care homes can provide the best, more economical source of appropriate care and quality of life. The Hollies is a fabulous home, graded Good by the Care Quality Commission – I know I would like my Mum and Dad to be placed there. This is a crazy situation that needs addressing now.
Pictures Left to Right: Katie Howard (Compliance and Support Manager) and Helen Eslick (Registered Provider and Care Manager)
OTS News on Social Media