Stop new admissions and close Allison House after a set period of time – run down the home

What would this mean in practice?

We agree to stop admissions to the home.

We continue to own and operate the home.

Over time, beds would become vacant, but these would not be offered to new people.

The number of staff would be reduced gradually as the number of people living at Allison House decrease.

The home would close when the number of people living at Allison House drops below an agreed number or after an agreed period of time.

Cost

The staffing, supplies, and utility costs would decrease as the number of residents decrease but the running cost per person would increase as fixed costs would be shared between fewer people.

Approximate timescales

The duration that the home would remain open for is unknown.

Assumptions

CQC would find this approach acceptable.

This can be delivered without risking the safety, health and wellbeing of residents.

Advantages

The majority of the existing people living at Allison House would not have to move.

We would eventually have a surplus site which could be disposed of or given an alternative use.

Disadvantages

Existing people living at Allison House would not live in accommodation that meets modern standards which could lead to a reduced quality of life.

It may become difficult to maintain an active, vibrant atmosphere in the building as vacancy levels increase. It could become very isolating for the last remaining people living at Allison House.

Operating a home that has a diminishing number of people can lead to safety and management issues.

It would be difficult to maintain staffing over a long period of time.

It may be difficult to retain good quality staff, especially at a senior level.

Any people that are left after the agreed period of time would have to move to an alternative care home.

The running cost per person would increase as the number of people decreases.

Ongoing demand for places in the Sandy area would not be met without the delivery of replacement care home places.

Initial assessment

Stopping admissions to the home and closing after a set period of time is not currently considered to be a desirable option. The home would have the feeling of being wound down, which would likely affect the mental wellbeing of people living there, as the home would become less occupied and less vibrant. Staff may leave and changes would need to be made to enable the home to continue operating safely with fewer people. It may prove difficult to retain sufficient staff and this could affect the quality of care. Those residents that remain in the home at the end of the agreed period would have to move. This option would also result in a deficit of places for Central Bedfordshire care home customers.