AN AMMAN Valley dementia care home is on the brink of closure following Carmarthenshire County Council's decision to terminate its contract tomorrow, (Friday, June 26).

Hafan Croeso Dementia Care home on Heol Aman, Glanaman has been issued with a condition by the Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) that prevents the home from taking any new residents.

The instruction comes after the CSSIW was made aware that Hafan Croeso had been without a responsible individual since May 29 and as of Friday, June 26, would also be without a registered manager.

As a result of the condition, the council is set to terminate its contract with the home from Friday.

A spokesperson from CSSIW said the current situation “presents a significant risk to the safety and wellbeing of the vulnerable people living in the home.”

She added: “We are seeking assurances from the provider on the arrangements in place after the registered manager has left the post, to ensure that existing residents continue to receive appropriate care.

“In the meantime, and until we are satisfied with the management arrangements, we have issued a condition that prevents the provider taking on new residents into Hafan Croeso Care Home.”

As of today (Thursday) the authority’s social services has removed all but one resident.

Jake Morgan, Director of Community Services said, “Carmarthenshire County Council’s priority is to support vulnerable users and their families to receive safe and high quality care.

"We agree with the position of the CSSIW that this provider falls short of the standards we should all expect.

“We will continue to work with Hafan Croeso to assist them in developing plans to deliver the quality of care that both the county council and the CSSIW require and we are sure they would wish to provide.”

Hafan Croeso, which offers respite to people aged 52 to 100, was set up by the Amman Valley Dementia Carers Support Group ten years ago following the success of its Hafan Gobaith day centre.

The home was bought and converted with the help of a Lottery grant and the local community.

Dorothy McDonald who has spearheaded the groundbreaking home said she is “heartbroken” by the news.

“Staff members have been looking for jobs elsewhere, but that was only because there was a rumour we were in financial difficulties,” she said.

“This is completely untrue and we also have a new manager and deputy manager set to start shortly.

“The loss of the Carmarthenshire County Council contract is a massive blow.

“I don’t know what to do or how to move forward from this, we are all devastated.”