18th June 2017
My Dear People,
As you are no doubt aware the Little Sisters of the Poor, who had cared for the elderly in our Diocese and especially in St Joseph’s Convent, Wellburn, since 1861 decided that they could no longer continue to provide adequate care to the elderly residents in Wellburn Home. Wanting to try and alleviate the trauma of these residents moving to other care homes and all of the upset and chaos that would have gone with a closure at that time we tried to carry out the mission of the Little Sisters in very difficult circumstances. It quickly became apparent that the building of Wellburn Home was completely inadequate for care of the elderly laid down by the statutory authorities. Accordingly we decided to build, if we could raise the finances from the bank, a new care home to provide 21st century care for our elderly loved ones.
However, the problems that have arisen since we purchased the Home have brought about a great deal of expenditure and investment – in fact over £500,000 – to try to bring some remedy to the inadequacies of the building.
However, the events of last week proved that the Home was totally inadequate for the high standard of care that we wish to give, and which the statutory authorities, the Care Inspectorate and Health and Safety Executive demanded from us.
Towards the middle of last week the gas plant was condemned by the Gas Regulator and closed down as dangerous and the water supply to the Home was also deemed unsuitable for people in care. The next result was that we were given an ultimatum either to close voluntarily or be closed down by the statutory authorities. There was no choice here. The Home received the notice that it had to be decanted of residents within 72 hours as emergency procedures were brought into place. This meant the transfer of elderly and vulnerable residents to other care facilities and the future redundancy of our staff.
Whether or not we are able to raise finance from the banks for a new home, and this is doubtful now, the old Wellburn is closed for good and cannot reopen.
What saddens us most is that the vulnerable elderly residents who were entrusted to the care of Wellburn have now suffered the additional trauma of being transferred to other care establishments. The concerns and frustrations of so many families has been apparent for all to see.
I, as Bishop, have the ultimate responsibility for these facilities as Chief Trustee of the Diocese, and I deeply regret the pain and anguish suffered by all concerned, both residents and their families and the staff who will now be out of work.
We need to pray for all concerned.
Yours sincerely in Christ,
+Stephen Robson
Bishop of Dunkeld