Dumfriesshire MP David Mundell visited Trinity House, Lockerbie, this week to meet residents and staff.
The care home is owned by the Castlebeck group, who are in administration.
The local MP has been keeping in close touch with the administrators’, and recently welcomed their renewed commitment to keep Trinity House open whilst they try to find a buyer.
“I am pleased that the administrators have been able to given this commitment and I will continue to keep in close contact with them. I have made it clear that I am willing to work with them and do anything i can to help find a way forward. In the meantime I have kept an earlier promise to visit Trinity House to meet staff and residents and to offer my full support before any decisions on its future are made,” said the MP.
“It was great to meet staff and residents at Trinity House, and to see at first hand the benefits of retaining this kind of care in Lockerbie.
“The Secret Garden and the general layout of the home and the quality of the caring staff really sends home the message of how important this service is,” added the MP, who is pictured talking with resident Nigel Douglas and manager Anton Watson as they show him around the Secret Garden.
He added: “When it comes to the provision of this kind of care sadly it is always the most vulnerable members of society who are affected. The residents at Trinity House are not responsible for events started elsewhere and everyone involved must work for an outcome that meets their needs. This is obviously difficult and distressing time for residents, their families and staff; however this interim commitment from the administrators should provide some continuity. I will continue to monitor the situation and anyone affected can contact my office for assistance.”
Administrators’ Grant Thornton have told the local MP that their plans have been supported by Scottish Care Regulator who are keep that all the care homes and hospitals in the Castlebeck group – which includes Trinity House –stay open whilst they market the company.
The Administrators also revealed they are encouraged by early expressions of interest in the homes and they hope to sell the group to someone well known within the care home sector, and with a reputation for high levels of care.