City council to seek long-term care provider for troubled nursing homes

Liverpool: So, here’s the scoop. Liverpool Council is on the hunt for a new care provider for two nursing homes. They had to step in last summer when the previous operator, Bloomcare, decided to pull out.

These homes, Brushwood and Millvina, opened in 2019 and were a big deal since they were the first council-built homes in 25 years. But things got rocky when Bloomcare said it couldn’t keep running them anymore.

After taking over, the council worked with NHS partners to keep things running smoothly for the residents and staff. Millvina even got out of special measures recently after a tough inspection.

Now, the council is extending its contract with Mersey Care for just three more months. But Mersey Care has made it clear they can’t stick around longer than that. So, the council needs to find someone new to take over nursing care soon.

They’re currently getting some funding to help with costs, but it’s only temporary. The uncertainty is making it hard to hire new staff, which could lead to higher costs and inconsistent care. It’s a bit of a mess, but they’re working on it.