AN Oxfordshire care home is to close due to a lack of residents, following a transition period of several months.

Glebe House in Kidlington is owned by Oxfordshire County Council and run by The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), a not-for-profit charitable trust.

The care home has had low occupancy for several years, which dropped to 74 per cent in the two years before the pandemic and 65 per cent in February this year. 

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As the home has had low occupancy for some time, Oxfordshire County Council and OSJCT have jointly taken the decision to close and offer all 28 residents places in other care homes in Oxfordshire where it is hoped they quickly become part of the home community.

A number of other care homes already exist in the area providing choice, including 15 run by OSJCT across the county.

OSJCT and Oxfordshire County Council are working together to ensure the smoothest transition possible for all 28 residents and 38 permanent employees affected.

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Dan Hayes, Chief Executive of OSJCT said: “It is undeniable what a difficult announcement this has been to share to everyone at the home and within the wider Orders of St John Care Trust family. Our employees have been committed and professional at this home during the unprecedented challenge of the past year whilst the resilience and positivity of our residents has been humbling.

“Glebe House has played a significant part in the community for many years, but unfortunately demand has decreased in recent years.

“All residents will be offered new homes within the Trust’s group of Oxfordshire services and our primary concern at this time is in ensuring to the best of our ability that these moves do not impact upon their health and wellbeing.

"We are also doing everything we can to ensure that employees find other employment within the Trust.

“The future of The Orders of St John Care Trust is stable and secure and the factors behind the closure of these homes are longstanding and are not commonplace across the organisation and are not related to the COVID-19 pandemic.”

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Stephen Chandler, Oxfordshire County Council’s corporate director of adult and housing services, said: “Our top priority is the welfare of our residents and to ensure they and their families are given all the support and information they need so the move to a new home is as smooth as possible.

“We are aware this will be a difficult and unsettling time for those involved however we are working alongside OSJCT and other care home operators to provide the right support and are in regular contact with the residents and families to ensure they are fully informed as these plans move forward.”

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