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The Blar Buidhe care home in Stornoway will be legally taken over  by a new operator in seven weeks.

Present  care provider Southern Cross has collapsed with massive debts.  

A new joint venture operating company called HC-One has been set up by Court Cavendish and NHP to look after the 60 elderly residents in the home.

The firm says the name stands for “health and care” and symbolises a focused on one-to-one care.

The Stornoway facility is being saved along with a 248 other stricken Southern Cross homes, including one in Skye.

The NHP group - ultimately owned by the Qatar royal family through its investment wealth fund - has net liabilities of £678 million according to its last available accounts. It is exploring “disposal options” as there are doubts if it can continue as a going concern.

About a third of the leased Southern Cross care homes in the UK, including Blar Buidhe,  are ultimately controlled by  Qatar through a chain of about 40 companies..

The 60 or so staff on Lewis are being taken on by the new venture.

HC-One is owned by NHP which owns the properties and Court Cavendish, a social care business rescue specialist.

NHP is a UK subsidiary of a chain of tax-haven firms ultimately controlled by the Qatar royal family through its investment wealth fund, the Qatar Investment Authority.

Court Cavendish, is owned by Dr Chai Patel who sold his Priory chain of rehab clinics in 2005.

NHP Director Jeremy Jensen said: "The operation of Southern Cross homes owned by NHP will be transferred to a new operating company on 1st November 2011.

“NHP is working closely with leading care company Court Cavendish to establish the new operating company. In the meantime the homes owned by NHP continue to be managed and operated by Southern Cross."

"The continuity of care for residents remains our number one priority and we are working hard to ensure a seamless transition. That is our current focus."

He added: "As we continue to progress the transition we will ensure residents, relatives and staff are fully informed of any developments as soon as possible. For the time being we are focused on the preparations for 1st November."

"We understand that uncertainty over recent months has made it a challenging time for residents, relatives and staff, and we are looking forward to putting in place a new era of stability, good governance and the highest standards of care.”

 

 

 

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New company formed to run Blar Buidhe        13/9/11