Residents rocked by Christmas bombshell

DEVASTATED . . . those affected by the closure of Park Lane House include (back, from left) Andrea Lever, Susan Hitchen, home activity co-ordinator Lorraine Kerrigan, Martin Slicker, and home deputy manager Michelle Shaw. Front: Ann Lever, Angela Hurley, Alice Hilton and home manager Kelly Lee. PHOTO BY DARREN ROBINSON

FAMILIES are fighting for the survival of a much-loved care home after it delivered a Christmas closure bombshell.

Park Lane House in Royton told relatives they were being forced to shut due to low resident numbers.

A total of 16 staff will also lose their jobs when the care home — owned by local GP Dr Saphal Pal and family — closes for good on Friday, December 20.

Susan Hitchen, from Uppermill, whose 75-year-old mum Angela Hurley lives at the home, said its closure will be catastrophic for her as she suffers from dementia and loves it at Park Lane.

“I cannot believe they are closing such a wonderful home,” said Susan.

“It took me a long time to find Park Lane House. I spent months looking for the right place for mum but everywhere else was unsuitable and so big. Mum would just get lost in some of those places.

“Park Lane is perfect. As soon as you walk through the door it feels like home and the staff are fantastic.

“Dr Pal is fabulous, he even pays for the residents’ toiletries.

“Park Lane specialises in care, as in really good care. It’s so personal there, my mum will be devastated to leave — especially at Christmas — she’ll be lost and that’s hard for me to deal with.

“At the end of the day you’re trusting them with people’s lives and there’s nowhere I’d trust more. I’m actually frightened to start looking around again.

“It doesn’t have modern facilities like some places but my mum’s not interested in that, she just wants to be loved and that’s what she gets at Park Lane.”

Manager Kelly Lee said the staff are distraught, especially the ones who have been there since it opened over 20 years ago.

On behalf of the owners, Kelly — who has worked there for 13 years — said: “Our priority now is to support our residents, in every way possible, to find alternative placements and to support the staff who unfortunately have all been made redundant.

“Myself, deputy manager Michelle and the directors would like to thank everyone for their support.”

Councillor Barbara Brownridge, Cabinet member for social care and public health, said: “A task group has been immediately set up and is meeting to ensure suitable accommodation is found for all its residents.

“We rate all 44 homes in the borough as excellent, good, adequate or poor. We share information with people and their families about these ratings so they can make an informed choice.

“Ultimately, it’s the choice of the individual or the family where they want to go. Three quarters of the homes have now been rated as ‘excellent’ or ‘good’. A recent council assessment on Park Lane House was rated as ‘adequate’.

“The council actively promotes improved care standards, as people do tend to use the services of a care home rated at higher levels.”

Oldham Council had a meeting with the owners of the private care home on Tuesday evening when the closure date was confirmed.

The council will now be contacting each family to ensure residents are assessed and found suitable accommodation.
For a full version of this story read the Chronicle in print or via the digital iChron and eChron editions on mobile and laptop.