The family of a 92-year-old woman have expressed outrage after she was given just four weeks to move out of her care home following a sudden closure announcement. Eunice O'Brien, a resident at Sunnyside care home in Whitworth, also known as Welcome Independent Living, was told last week that the facility would be closing, leaving her relatives scrambling to find suitable alternative accommodation.
Family's frustration and emotional toll
Eunice's granddaughter, Chloe Hodgkinson, described the situation as stressful and angering. She said the family was blindsided by the news, with staff members also reportedly left in tears upon learning of the closure. Chloe stated, "They said they were closing and reopening as something else. We told the staff and they were crying because they didn't know." She added that the manager appeared dismissive and rude, saying, "The manager doesn't think he was in the wrong for what they are doing. We told him it is disgusting."
Eunice, who has limited mobility and relies on the care home's convenient location, has been a resident for a year. The family has looked at around eight different facilities but found no available spaces that meet her needs. Chloe expressed concern: "My nan can't really walk and this is a perfect location for her. But they have given us four weeks' notice to find her somewhere else." She added that they have not yet informed Eunice fully to avoid causing her additional worry, saying, "My nan is worried but we haven't spoken to her as we don't want her to be more concerned about it. We just don't know what to do now."
Care home's financial challenges and response
Mark Coup, director of Welcome Independent Living, acknowledged the difficulty of the situation but explained that the care home was running at a significant financial loss. He stated, "The facility is closing. We have some refurbishment planned and there is a day care centre to this side of Sunnyside. We were hoping to connect it to the day care and reopen a new service in that building we own either this year or next." Coup emphasised that the eight-bed care home is not viable, losing approximately £70,000 per year. He noted that the six staff members at risk of redundancy could have been 80 if the decision had not been made.
Coup also addressed the notice period, saying, "We have served the appropriate length of notice period. But I appreciate it is a difficult situation. It is a difficult decision for families to make. However, most have now secured somewhere else to live." He added that the care home is willing to extend Eunice's stay slightly longer if necessary and is working to find her alternative accommodation. Sunnyside's weekly fees are around £950, which Coup said is much lower than similar facilities in the area, contributing to its financial unsustainability.
Background and regulatory notification
Before moving to Sunnyside, Eunice lived at home with carers and family assistance, but an increase in falls prompted the decision to place her in a care home. The Care Quality Commission (CQC) was notified by the service of its intention to voluntarily deregister. Rumours that the facility would reopen as a palliative care specialist have been denied by Welcome Independent Living bosses.
