Ownership of island care home at centre of Covid-19 outbreak transferred to NHS
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Ownership of a care home hit by a coronavirus outbreak earlier this year formally transferred to NHS Highland today.
The transfer of Home Farm Care Home on Skye from HC-One to the health authority has been agreed.
Ten residents died in spring after a cluster of coronavirus cases hit the care home in Portree.
A total of 30 residents and 29 staff tested positive for the virus during the outbreak.
The health authority said it had been working closely with HC-One to ensure the transition of ownership had been as smooth as possible and that any practical arrangements were in place to ensure levels of service were maintained during this time.
An interim registered manager at Home Farm has been put in place to lead the care home safely through the change process.
NHS Highland will also be completing essential maintenance work in the weeks and months ahead to update and improve the look and feel of the building, while ensuring that Covid-19 guidelines are adhered to and any noise and disruption is kept to a minimum.
David Park, NHS Highland deputy chief executive, acknowledged it had been an "extremely challenging" period for residents, relatives and staff.
"NHS Highland’s primary aim throughout this time has been to ensure the safety and wellbeing of the residents and to improve standards of care within Home Farm," he said.
"This remains our focus and we are committed to ensuring the standards of care continue to improve.
"We will remain in close contact with residents and their relatives to ensure they are kept up-to-date as this work continues to progress."
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