Council to step in to run Brushwood and Millvina care homes

Liverpool City Council, in collaboration with NHS partners, has been forced to step in to support the operational running of Brushwood and Millvina care homes, following the decision by Bloomcare to cease its operation.

To ensure continuity of care for residents, the Council will now make a full assessment of the residents’ needs and staff operations with a view to taking on interim control from mid-July 2024.

This is an exceptional set of circumstances because, unlike other care homes across the city, the Council owns the two buildings in which the care homes are located.

The homes were opened in 2019. They have 60 beds each and have been operated by Wellington Healthcare (Arden) Ltd, part of Bloomcare group, since 2021.

The provider has informed the Council it no longer wishes to run the homes and has given notice to end its contract.

Once Bloomcare’s contract ceases, Liverpool City Council, working alongside NHS partners, will immediately become the registered provider of the homes, providing continuity of care for the residents, and stability for staff employed at both homes.

Bloomcare, with the support of the Council have met with residents, families and staff to discuss the changes and to provide reassurance that the continued care of the residents will remain the highest priority. Care staff will be able to transfer to the Council and talks with the relevant trade unions will now start.

Liverpool City Council will ensure that the residents, their families and staff are kept up to date with the transfer and will answer any questions or concerns that they may have.

Liverpool City Council Leader, Cllr Liam Robinson, said: “The exiting of Bloomcare as a care provider is deeply disappointing, and is sadly indicative of the challenges faced by councils and the care home market nationally.

“We have been working hard behind the scenes to assess all of the options, minimising the risk to the Council while at the same time prioritising residents, and we now believe we have a way forward.”

Councillor Angela Coleman, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “Our priorities are to ensure continuity of care for residents, who will remain in familiar surroundings, while also delivering certainty for the staff.

“We will be keeping residents, their families and staff up to date with the transfer and will answer any questions or concerns that they may have.

“We see this as an opportunity to look at how we can work closely with staff to deliver improvements to ensure the quality of care is as good as it can be.”