3 February 2023 Issue 2513 © ULLAPOOL NEWS
CLOSURE OF MO DHACHAIDH CARE HOME
Statement from Donald Morrison, Communications Consultant, Parklands Care Homes
We regret that Mo Dhachaidh care home in Ullapool will close on 23 April 2023, despite our best efforts to ensure its long-term future. In autumn 2021, we became aware that the then owner of Mo Dhachaidh, Barchester, intended to withdraw from Ullapool.
We were not actively looking to expand into Ullapool. Indeed, it was not clear to us that Mo Dhachaidh was sustainable due its small size. All of Parklands’ Highland homes offer 40 beds as a minimum. Mo Dhachaidh offers only 19 (but currently has 14 residents) and requires substantial investment to bring it up to current Care Inspectorate standards, which will further reduce the number of available rooms.
We knew, therefore, that this acquisition came with considerable risk due to the need for substantial investment, difficulties attracting suitable staff and the associated costs of supplying such a remote location. Since our formal acquisition in August 2022, it has become manifestly clear that the spiralling costs of operating Mo Dhachaidh, coupled with escalating refurbishment costs, are simply too great for Parklands to bear. For example, in terms of operating costs, while energy costs across the Parklands group are fixed until 2024, there is no such protection for Mo Dhachaidh. Other operating costs – food, medical equipment, cleaning material, motor expenses – have also risen above expectations. With inflation at a near 40 year high, our operating costs in year 1 are now forecast to be 56% higher than anticipated.
As noted, Mo Dhachaidh also requires significant capital investment to bring it up to an acceptable standard. Refurbishment costs are now expected to be substantially higher than forecast, with a 30% increase in year 1 alone. Quite simply, the current economic climate is the most difficult we have ever faced and we are unable to continue the bear the costs required to operate Mo Dhachaidh or bring it up to the standard we would wish. As a result, Mo Dhachaidh will regrettably close. We understand this will disappoint many in the community; it is not a decision we have taken lightly. It is a stark reminder of the difficulties associated with operating care homes in remote, rural locations, and of the mounting and unsustainable costs with which we are now confronted.
*****
POST OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Ullapool Village Hall, Market Street
Monday – Friday
09.00 – 13.00 15.00 – 17.00
CLOSURE OF MO DHACHAIDH CARE HOME
Statement from Donald Morrison, Communications Consultant, Parklands Care Homes
We regret that Mo Dhachaidh care home in Ullapool will close on 23 April 2023, despite our best efforts to ensure its long-term future. In autumn 2021, we became aware that the then owner of Mo Dhachaidh, Barchester, intended to withdraw from Ullapool.
We were not actively looking to expand into Ullapool. Indeed, it was not clear to us that Mo Dhachaidh was sustainable due its small size. All of Parklands’ Highland homes offer 40 beds as a minimum. Mo Dhachaidh offers only 19 (but currently has 14 residents) and requires substantial investment to bring it up to current Care Inspectorate standards, which will further reduce the number of available rooms.
We knew, therefore, that this acquisition came with considerable risk due to the need for substantial investment, difficulties attracting suitable staff and the associated costs of supplying such a remote location. Since our formal acquisition in August 2022, it has become manifestly clear that the spiralling costs of operating Mo Dhachaidh, coupled with escalating refurbishment costs, are simply too great for Parklands to bear. For example, in terms of operating costs, while energy costs across the Parklands group are fixed until 2024, there is no such protection for Mo Dhachaidh. Other operating costs – food, medical equipment, cleaning material, motor expenses – have also risen above expectations. With inflation at a near 40 year high, our operating costs in year 1 are now forecast to be 56% higher than anticipated.
As noted, Mo Dhachaidh also requires significant capital investment to bring it up to an acceptable standard. Refurbishment costs are now expected to be substantially higher than forecast, with a 30% increase in year 1 alone. Quite simply, the current economic climate is the most difficult we have ever faced and we are unable to continue the bear the costs required to operate Mo Dhachaidh or bring it up to the standard we would wish. As a result, Mo Dhachaidh will regrettably close. We understand this will disappoint many in the community; it is not a decision we have taken lightly. It is a stark reminder of the difficulties associated with operating care homes in remote, rural locations, and of the mounting and unsustainable costs with which we are now confronted.
*****
POST OFFICE OPENING HOURS
Ullapool Village Hall, Market Street
Monday – Friday
09.00 – 13.00 15.00 – 17.00
