The owners of Ashbrooke Care Home have dropped an appeal against the closure of the facility in August 2017, when 64 residents had to be re-homed after a health watch-dog ruled there was a “serious risk to [their] life, health and well-being.”

The Regulation and Quality Improvement Authority (RQIA) cancelled Ashbrooke’s registration following an unannounced inspection which found “systemic care failings and concerns in relation to the management of the home.”
Owners, Runwood Homes had pledged to “pursue all legal remedies” to keep the doors open. However, a statement from RQIA this week confirmed that Runwood Homes has withdrawn its appeal.
An RQIA spokesman stated: “In late August 2017, Ashbrooke Care Home in Enniskillen was closed, due to systemic care failings identified by RQIA inspectors, and serious concerns in relation to the management of the home. In September 2017, Runwood Homes Ltd challenged this decision through the Care Tribunal, part of the Northern Ireland Courts and Tribunal Services. Earlier this month, Runwood Homes withdrew its appeal, and on 13 April 2018, the Chairman of the Care Tribunal dismissed these proceedings.”
He said RQIA welcomes the decision, adding: “Everyone living in a nursing or residential care home is entitled to the highest standard of care, and our key priority is the ongoing safety and wellbeing of everyone living in care homes across Northern Ireland.”
A spokeswoman for Runwood Homes told The Impartial Reporter the company is “now considering options for the future of the facility which will best serve the needs of older people in the wider town and county area.”
DUP Councillor Raymond Farrell, whose elderly relative was one of the Ashbrooke residents who had to be re-homed, said he was “bewildered” by Runwood’s decision to withdraw its appeal.
He said: “At the end of the day, this purpose built facility needs to re-open to support our elderly community and that a safe and caring environment is there at all times. Our elderly population is increasing and we need high quality care homes accessible sooner rather than later.”
UUP MLA Rosemary Barton also voiced concern about “a shortfall of accommodation for those who require the care that such a facility can provide.”
Sinn Féin MLA Colm Gildernew argued that the intervening eight months would have been better spent “addressing the problems rather than pursuing an appeal.”