Elderly residents face being moved from a Redcar care home after it was deemed “financially unviable” with a decision being made to close it, the Local Democracy Reporting Service has learnt.

Inglewood Care Home, in Deal Road, Redcar, which provides accommodation for residents with a range of needs, including dementia, was said to be a “further casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic”.

This had resulted in very few admissions, which in turn meant very low occupancy levels, with the closure decision said to be a last resort.

The 48-bed facility, which was rated as ‘good’ overall by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission in July this year, is part of the Gateshead-based Crystal Care Services group which operates three other homes in the North-East.

Its managing director Mohammad Malik was unable to comment when contacted by the LDRS, but a statement was later issued on behalf of the home which said the safe transfer of residents to alternative accommodation was a priority.

One concerned relative, who did not want to be named, said up to 20 long-term residents were to be moved when the care home closes on November 30.

Staff also now face losing their jobs and are being assisted to find employment elsewhere.

The statement said: “We deeply regret to inform all residents, staff and suppliers Inglewood Care Home will be closing on 30th November 2020.

“The home has become a further casualty of the Covid-19 pandemic and has resulted in the home having very low occupancy with new admissions within the region being few and far between. 

“Without further Government support to sustain the care sector market, the home is financially unviable and therefore the director of Inglewood Care Home has made a decision of last resort to close the home down.”

The statement added: “The closure of Inglewood Care Home is very sad and our concern is first and foremost for the residents and the staff who will be affected by this. 

“As a matter of priority we are working with Redcar and Cleveland Council and our partners to ensure the safe transfer of residents to alternative care homes and to support our staff in finding alternative employment within the care sector locally. 

“We would like to thank all those who have been associated with Inglewood  Care Home and our local suppliers who have worked with us for a number of years.”

Councillor Mary Ovens, cabinet member for adult services at Redcar and Cleveland Council, said: “We are sorry to see the closure of Inglewood Care Home. 

“This is a time of unprecedented challenge for the care sector and I would like to thank all the staff at the care home for their extraordinary efforts – to not only care for the residents  but to protect them from the terrible Covid-19 virus that is impacting on all parts of society. 

“We will work in partnership with the home to ensure all residents are safely moved to a new care setting and support those staff affected to find suitable employment in care.” 

The care home had been previously operated by Bupa, before being taken over by Crystal Care Services.