Victoria Court Care Home: residents and staff speak of 'shock' at closure

Employees and relatives of loved ones living at the Shore Road facility were told of the decision in separate meetings on June 17, with a closure date of July 4.

Charles Leach, Director of Victoria Court said the decision was made due to “financial pressures” after the sale of the home as a going concern fell through.

Thirty seven elderly residents had been living at the 43-bed home, with some having moved to other locations since the announcement.

Angela Wright, whose grandfather is a resident in Victoria Court said: “As a family we have been very happy with the care he has received from the staff who work there. The staff are dedicated and passionate about providing the best care possible for the residents.

"My grandfather is really settled at Victoria Court and to say we as a family are devastated by the news of this sudden closure is an understatement. There is still no suitable placement for him as of yet which is obviously causing a huge amount of stress for all of us.

"My grandfather’s wife is 81 and the prospect of him being placed miles away from his family is a very real concern. My mum visits him every day and doesn’t drive, so she won’t be able to continue this if he’s not placed somewhere local.

"It’s been heart-breaking to see some of the patients move to other homes; patients and their families have been in tears along with the staff.

"Victoria Court is their home, a place where they feel safe and it’s just been taken away from them with just two and a half weeks’ notice. These elderly patients deserve better treatment than this. I am absolutely sickened that in this day and age it’s deemed acceptable to just to close with 17 days’ notice, with absolutely no consideration given to how this will impact on the residents.”

Alison Tweedie has worked at the home since 1998, first as a care assistant and since last year as a cleaner. “It was a real shock; we have a few staff who’ve been here over 20 years,” she said.

"I really feel for the residents; some of them don’t have family members to speak for them. A lot of the families are just disgusted.”

Another staff member, who did not wish to be named added: “Two and a half weeks’ notice is not a lot of time for staff and residents to find somewhere else.”

Responding to the time frame for the announcement, Mr Leach said closure was the “last resort after all attempts to find a viable buyer to keep the home open were unsuccessful”.

He added: “I’m proud of what the staff have all achieved in creating so many happy memories for local families and consistently delivering a high standard of care, but more importantly a real sense of community that made Victoria Court feel like home for the residents.

"I’m desperately sad that we could not find a way to keep the home open with so much love and history tied up in it. We all worked hard and did everything possible in the face of relentless challenges to avoid that outcome. I want to thank the RQIA [Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority] for their constructive support throughout and the team at the Northern Trust for their invaluable help in successfully placing all our residents in alternative accommodation within the short time we had available.

"The handful who have had to move temporarily further away, we will continue to work with to bring them back to a more local home very soon. I want to wish everyone well, staff, residents and families, and thank you for being part of our community.”

Any local charities who might be interested in using the space have been asked to get in contact, Mr Leach added.

The RQIA, the independent body responsible for monitoring and inspecting the availability and quality of health and social care services in Northern Ireland, confirmed it was advised on June 16 by the Registered Provider of Victoria Court that they were incapable of financing the home beyond July 4.

"The Provider submitted an application to RQIA to voluntarily cancel the registration of Victoria Court,” a RQIA spokesperson added.

"RQIA is mindful of the distress such a short notice period will cause for residents and their families. However, given the financial position of the home, there would be intolerable risk to residents if there were interruptions to utilities, food, equipment, supplies and staffing beyond July 4, 2025.

"RQIA continues to work closely with the Northern HSC Trust and the Registered Provider during this difficult time, and active work is going on to find suitable placements to re-accommodate residents, to ensure their safety and continuity of care.”

In a statement, the Northern Health and Social Care Trust said it was aware of the owner’s decision to close Victoria Court, and is “working closely with them at this time”.

A NHSCT spokesperson added: “We know this is a very difficult time for residents and their families, and would reassure them that our main priority remains their ongoing care and comfort. Trust staff will be available throughout the transition period to offer guidance.

"Efforts to secure appropriate alternative accommodation are underway, and we will liaise with family members and loved ones during this process.”

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