NURSING shortages have been blamed for the impending closure of a Netherton care home.

Bosses at Nethercrest Nursing Home said the decision was triggered by the "extreme difficulties" of recruiting permanent additional members for the nursing team, including a clinical lead.

Nethercrest Care Centre (Dudley) Limited said that while there is a shortage of qualified nurses nationally, the situation in Dudley was "even more acute".

Staff and management at the 37 bed home in Brewster Street have been working with Dudley Council over the last few weeks and discussions are now taking place to find alternative accommodation for the 27 residents.

Lucy Holl, the home's operations director, said: “It is not a decision we have taken lightly, we take our responsibilities to those in our care very seriously.

"Faced with the prospect of not being able to recruit trained nurses now, or in the foreseeable future, this regrettable decision is the only course of action open to us.”

She continued: "Every step necessary will be taken to minimise the disruption to residents and to ensure that their move to care facilities that are both suited to their nursing, care and personal needs is smooth and caring.

“The home will close once we have helped and supported residents and their family members to find new and appropriate homes. This may take a number of weeks and we will continue to provide care and activities as long as there are residents living in the home.”

Councillor Nicolas Barlow, Dudley's cabinet member for adult social care, added: “The safety and welfare of people at Nethercrest is our top priority and we are working with the owners of the home to ensure this remains the case.

"We are currently looking for alternative homes for the people who receive nursing care at Nethercrest, which will be done as quickly and as sensitively as we can, in full consultation with them and their families.”