It is with great sadness that the operators of Peniel care home have formally notified us that they are no longer able to operate the home from the 26th of February as they intend to file for insolvency. This is a great disappointment to us, the residents, and the staff.
There have been continued attempts to work with the operators to understand their financial position. A variety of alternative options have been considered but, unfortunately, due to the legal and financial circumstances that surround the care company, there are no viable solutions that can be found at this time. The complex and fluid ownership arrangements of the home have created significant challenges and make it highly unlikely that another operator from the public or private sector would be able to run the service as a going concern.
Our priority has been the residents, and we have concentrated the efforts of a dedicated team of Social Workers to find them new homes. We have worked closely with other authorities who have placed residents in the home to ensure all residents are supported and, by now, we have found suitable alternative homes for all the residents.
We would like to recognise and thank the staff within Peniel Care Home for their commitment to delivering high-quality care and highlight that the quality of care has at no point been a contributing factor to this difficult decision.
Cllr. Jane Tremlett, Cabinet Member for Health and Social Services, Carmarthenshire County Council said: “First and foremost, it is the welfare of the residents at Peniel Care Home that has been our top priority and we have acted quickly to support the care home over this difficult period to continue to provide care to its residents.
“We have been supporting residents along with their families and next of kin, during what is a very difficult and distressing situation, to find suitable new homes.
“On behalf of the Council, I would like to express my gratitude to the staff at Peniel Care Home for their invaluable work at the care home. We are also supporting them during this hard period as they continue to provide care to the residents and ultimately to find alternative employment.”
Ahead of the home closing, the Council has been working with people and their families and other placing authorities to find new homes where they can receive the care and support that they require.
Wherever possible, we have done our best to ensure that people have been supported to move to locations of choice. Residents have also been provided with access to advocacy services to support them through this difficult time.