A CARE home has confirmed it will close its nursing wing because it cannot recruit enough nurses – adding that agencies are “killing” nursing homes across the country.

Manor Care Home Group has informed residents and their families that it plans to shut the nursing floor at its Dipton Manor care home, in Stanley, within weeks.

The 20-bed unit will be decommissioned on February 28 and the company says it is working with families and other providers to help find residents new accommodation.

A manager said they were “saddened” but the company had been “battling” to keep the nurse unit open whilst struggling to recruit nurses – often missing out to competition from agencies.

Vanessa Cutler, operational director at Manor Care Home Group, said: “We are very saddened by the 20 bed nurse unit closure and have been battling to keep this open for some time.

"We have tried every way in which to employ nurses rather than using agency, we have offered a good rate of pay beyond what nurses are paid in a general hospital but agencies win every time which is killing nursing homes not just in this area but throughout the country.

“The future of the home is very much alive and kicking.

“The only employment lost is the employed nurses, which is very sad as they have been with us and part of Dipton Manor who we value so very much.

“No support workers will lose their jobs, in fact we may have to employ more staff within the home as the nursing unit will accommodate residents that do not require nursing.

“We are working with families and other providers to support nursing residents as smoothly as possible.”

A source told The Northern Echo the move was a blow to nursing staff and about 14 residents currently living at the home, many of whom have been there years and feel settled and well looked after at Dipton Manor.

They added: “These poor residents and families have been given approximately seven weeks to find some sort of alternative nursing home, which are few and far between in our area. These people are very elderly, need the care they have and the homes and surroundings they have become accustomed too.

“The poor nurses will also lose their livelihoods.

“It is all about greed.”

Keep up to date with all the latest news on our website, or follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.

You can also follow our dedicated County Durham Facebook page for all the latest in the area by clicking here.

For all the top news updates from right across the region straight to your inbox, sign up to our newsletter here.

Have you got a story for us? Contact our newsdesk on newsdesk@nne.co.uk or contact 01325 505054