Coronavirus: NI care homes ‘teetering on brink of ruin’, says owner

The extra costs associated with the pandemic – including high sickness absence rates, extra staff and extra equipment – could push many homes over the edge, the owner of a number of Northern Ireland care homes has warned.

His comments came after it emerged coronavirus has now been detected in 53 homes in Northern Ireland, according to the latest information from the Department of Health.

That amounts to around 11% of the 483 care homes registered with the Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority in Northern Ireland.

The care home owner said extra costs include increased levels of sickness absence due to quarantine and self-isolation, the recruitment and training of extra staff, as well as specialist costs such as deep cleaning and the purchase of protective equipment.

“Just today, I have paid a bill of nearly £1,000 for deep cleaning in one of my homes, where we have unfortunately and very tragically had a death,” he said. “That is not normal spending.

“And of course there are a great many staff who are unable to come into work, because they are self-isolating and what-have-you.

“Now, that is quite right that they should do that. But of course there is a financial cost associated with that.

“We have recruited and now, of course, those newer members of staff have to be trained. And of course that also has to be paid for.”

The owner, who asked not to be identified, added: “A large number of homes will be teetering on the brink. They have to be – next week is payday.

“With all of this extra on top, where do you get your money from? Banks are frightened of the care industry.

“No one wants to talk about the financial element of this but we could be looking at a situation in the near future where several homes will be forced to stop operating.”

He added: “For example, we had a building project ready to kick off, but we had to put all that on hold.

“And of course there is the extra expense of purchasing PPE (personal protective equipment), which fortunately we have been able to secure.

“We have so much extra costs and the trusts have done absolutely nothing, up until now at least, to reassure.

“I’m not sleeping at night. I’m up at night pacing the floors. I’m petrified and I’m scared – I have very dedicated and caring people who need to pay their mortgages. If the trust were to give us some reassurance about whether they are going to back us, to back the sector, or not that would help.”

The News Letter has asked the Department of Health and the Health and Social Care Board whether any financial support will be offered to private care homes.