Nursing care residents at Cambridgeshire home given 28 days notice to find new accommodation

Jobs are under threat at a Fenland care home taken over after the collapse of provider Southern Cross last year.

Strathmore House, in Elm, had belonged to the failed care home owner which ran into severe financial difficulties just over a year ago.

The home was taken over by the Adiemus Group which this week announced the nursing care side of the home would close by the end of the month, leaving several elderly residents having to find alternative accommodation.

Eight jobs are also at risk as a result of the decision.

'Adiemus Care took over the running of Strathmore House following the collapse of Southern Cross last year.

'Unfortunately, the nursing care unit at the home has been running below capacity since our involvement began and, despite our best efforts to increase patient numbers, the unit remains unviable. Therefore a decision has been taken to close it by the end of August,' said a statement from the company.

But one relative, who did not wish to be named, said it was a appalling that elderly people in a fragile condition were being forced to find another home.

'These are very frail individuals who are in nursing care because of their medical conditions and having to move at this stage is a frightening prospect for them,' she said.

There are a total 12 nursing care beds, which cost more than �750 a week for residents, which will go although the 35 residential care places will not be affected by the decision.

'We have complied fully with statutory guidelines and have worked closely with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) and Cambridgeshire County Council to ensure as smooth a transition as possible for nursing care patients and their families. We will also remain extremely flexible to ensure all patients are found suitable alternative accommodation, even if is outside the statutory 28 day notice period.

'Strathmore House is currently undergoing an extensive upgrade programme and clients who do not require nursing care are unaffected by this decision,' added the statement.