A contract for the purchase of Moss Park care home in Fort William has been exchanged between current owners HC One and St Philips Care.
Residents, relatives and staff at the 40-bed residential home have all been advised about the change.
In 2021 care home provider HC-One announced Moss Park care home in Caol would be among 52 of the company’s properties to be sold off as part of a nationwide restructuring process.
The announcement sent alarm bells ringing across the region as residents try to keep their elderly loved ones close within a system that is under increasing strain.
HC One has since been working with NHS Highland and Highland Council to find a way forward.
The acquisition by Wolverhampton-based St Philips Care is expected to secure the future of the care home facility.
A spokesperson for HC-One Scotland said: “Our purpose is to serve at the heart of each of our communities, and to support those in our care to lead their best lives.
“As a responsible provider acting in the best interests of those we support, we acknowledge that there are some instances where it may be more appropriate for homes to be supported by alternative providers.
“We are pleased to confirm that we have exchanged contracts with an alternative provider for our Moss Park home.”
Transfer of the care home to St Philips Care will take place upon Care Inspectorate registration, anticipated to be in early 2024.
“We believe that St Philips Care, an independent, family-owned care provider, are best placed to continue to provide quality care for residents, along with the time and resource needed to support Moss Park to have a bright future over the long term,” added the HC One spokesperson.
“We look forward to working with them over the coming months to ensure the transfer process is as smooth as possible for those living and working in the home.
“Our priority remains the comfort and wellbeing of those we care for, and as we work towards the point of transfer, HC-One will continue to own and operate the home, and it will be business as usual for day-to-day life at Moss Park.”
Back in October Fort William councillor Angus MacDonald described the health care in the Highlands as a ‘crisis’.
“Largely due to staffing issues, seven care homes have closed permanently or temporarily since March 2022,” he said.
“We all want our parents in care homes near where we live. A local doctor tells me Lochaber has half the care beds it needs.
“Anecdotally, care home residents from Skye are being sent to care homes in Nairn and Aultbea.
“Plenty of carers and care home capacity spread across the Highlands, with well paid staff, would solve a lot of problems.”
Situated on the shore of Loch Linnhe at Caol, Moss Park is a purpose-built care home with 40 beds offering nursing care and nursing memory care for those living with dementia.