RELATIVES of residents at a Flintshire care home say they have been "abandoned" after its sudden closure was announced.

Families of residents of The Cottage Nursing Home in Mold were told last week that they have until February 25 to find alternative arrangements for their loved ones.

In September 2021, Y Bwthyn Cyf, which operated care home, entered administration after the debt position of the company had become "unsustainable".

Since their appointment, the administrators, FRP Advisory, say they have been working with Cornerstone Care Solutions, a specialist residential and nursing care provider, to ensure "consistency and continuity of care" for all 33 residents of the home - where around 40 full-time members of staff are employed.

FRP Advisory said that, despite the best efforts of all concerned and significant financial investment, the care home is no longer financially viable - and the difficult decision has been made to close the home, commencing this week.

The Joint Administrators will now work closely with the local health and social care authorities to ensure the smooth transfer of residents to alternative facilities.

David Shambrook, joint administrator, said: “The care sector has faced unprecedented challenges over the last two years, and continues to suffer from the combined impact of labour shortages and rapidly increasing costs.

"Unfortunately, despite every effort to find a long-term solution for the Cottage Nursing Home, the home has incurred unsustainable losses and the difficult decision has been taken to close the home.

"Our immediate focus will be on ensuring the wellbeing of the homes’ residents and we will be working closely with local health authorities to find alternative facilities and ensure the smooth transfer of those affected.”

Families of the care home's residents say they feel let down and "abandoned".

A family member of a resident, who has dementia, told the Leader: "For us to be given just three weeks notice is reprehensible.

"Isn't it time to respect our elderly and put them first above profit. We have been paying £1,200 a week to them for my dad's place at that home - where has all this money gone?"

They added: "I would like to say that the staff at the cottage have gone above and beyond with the care they offer.

"I do not want to move my dad into another home. He is 93 and the upset it will cause him and other residents will be immense. The residents are settled and well looked after in a safe environment."

Families claim they were promised by the administrators that their appointment, together with Cornerstone, would be a "long term commitment".

The family member said: "We were told at least 18months, yet here we are five months on and they have thrown in the towel.

"Residents have spent the last two years in isolation, they've been unable to see family and friends because of lockdowns. Haven't they been through enough already without telling them they are now going to lose their home?"

They added: "I have visited many care homes over the years not just on my Dad's behalf, but also my father- in -law and they vary enormously.

"There are homes we have walked into and walked straight out of. The Cottage is relatively large but it retains a homely feel and that is down mostly to the staff.

"I've spoken to staff members and they have been in tears talking with me about what is happening and that is not because they are losing jobs but because they care about the residents and what happens to them."

A grandson of a 96-year-old resident there said: "We feel lost and that our loved ones have been abandoned. Barely three weeks is an incredibly short period of time to make alternative arrangements.

"We knew the company running the home entered administration in September, but there were never any murmurings that it would close down - certainly nothing this soon.

"We're so disappointed with how it's all been handled. This news has caused significant worry and distress for our family, as we just don't know where my grandmother is going to end up, and whether she'll adjust to the new environment."

Flintshire Council's chief officer for social services, Neil Ayling, said: “We have been informed by the care provider, FRP Advisory, that they are closing the home and working towards a closure date of February 25.

"The council is working closely with our Health Board colleagues to arrange the safe transfer of individuals from The Cottage Nursing Home to other appropriate care homes in the area who can meet the needs of individuals and their families.”

Karen Evans, Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board's interim assistant director of community services, said: “Our heart goes out to those residents and families affected by the closure of The Cottage Nursing Home.

"We know this will be extremely distressing - and we are working very closely with our partners at Flintshire county council to find appropriate, alternative homes for them as soon as possible.”