Care home sold to company for £3.5m

Shropshire Council has sold off a county care home to a private company in a deal worth more than £3.5 million.

The new provider will manage Crowmoor House residential care home, on Frith Close, in Shrewsbury, and it will save the local authority up to £1.75 million over the next five years. Council chiefs today vowed that there would be ‘no changes’ to the level of care provided to residents.

The council’s cabinet approved a report on Wednesday which recommended Coverage Care as the preferred bidder to manage Crowmoor House following a competitive bidding process.

Council chiefs today vowed that there would be no change to care provision and confirmed that existing workers at the home would be unaffected.

They also said that as well as saving £1.75 million through service costs, £1.8 million from the sale of the property will be reinvested into other capital projects.

Ann Hartley, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for health and well-being, said they were mindful of choosing the company which provided the best value for money while maintaining a high level of public services.

“We are extremely passionate about providing excellent public services to our residents,” she said.

“The bid assessment has been thorough and all bids received were of a very high quality. However, the successful contractor’s bid provides the best overall value.

“The appointment of Coverage Care will offer better value for money for local people, while ensuring continuity of care for residents as well as the potential of major development in new local facilities in the future.”

She added: “We have been sensitive to residents and their families during this period, and ongoing support will continue right up to the date of transfer.”

The new provider intends to maintain the current Care Quality Commission rating for the home.