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New operator takes over Blar Buidhe care home         1/11/10

From today the Blar Buidhe care home in Stornoway will be legally run by a new operator following the collapse of Southern Cross 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 60 or so staff on Lewis are being taken on by the new venture.

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.

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.

Dr  Patel who is the chairman of HC-One said: “After months of uncertainty for residents, relatives and staff we are delighted and honoured to be starting this new era.

“The HC-One Board and management team have many years of experience in successfully managing care homes, and we want HC-One homes to be the kindest in the UK, with the kindest and most professional staff where each and every one matters and each and every one can make a difference.

“I want to thank residents and their families for their patience, and staff for their commitment and hard work during the recent difficult period.

“Looking ahead we are committed to improving the quality of services and properties, retaining and developing the kindest and best staff, and improving the occupancy in our homes. Those are our goals and that is our promise.”