The administrators of Craigard Care have agreed to sell three care homes and transfer the 165 staff, following completion of the sales later this year.
In the interim, the proposed purchasers will manage the care homes on behalf of administrators FRP Advisory.
The sales, which are to two separate purchasers, are expected to complete when the Care Inspectorate concludes the re-registration process required where there is to be a change in ownership.
At that point, Weston View Care Home in Keith and Wakefield House Care Home in Cullen will be sold to Parklands Care, which operates a further 10 care homes across Moray and the Highlands.
Riverside Care Home in Aberdeen will be sold to Renaissance Care, which operates a further 16 care homes across Scotland, four of which are in Aberdeen.
Founded in 1996, Craigard Care was headquartered in Aboyne. Its three care homes had capacity for 111 private rooms and provided specialist nursing, dementia, respite and palliative care.
The administration of Craigard Care was caused by very high operating and agency costs leading to unsustainable cash flow problems.
Three staff based at the Aboyne headquarters will be retained to assist the joint administrators in the short term, however all four head office staff will be ultimately made redundant.
Graham Smith, director with FRP Advisory and joint administrator, said: “The planned sale of the three homes is excellent news for residents, staff, suppliers and the local communities that depend on these important facilities.
“We are also delighted that 165 jobs are set to continue when the proposed deals complete and wish Parklands Care and Renaissance Care every success with their plans.”
Ron Taylor, managing director of Parklands Care Homes, said: “We understand that this will be a worrying time for residents, their relatives and staff.
“Working with the administrator, our focus is on ensuring that residents in both homes receive high quality care and that staff are supported through this challenging period.
“The administration of Craigard Care will come as a shock to many in the community and highlights the ongoing challenges facing the care sector.”
Robert Kilgour, founder and executive chair of Renaissance Care, added: “Upkeeping the high standard of care and ensuring stability in the day-to-day routines for residents at Riverside Care Home is our key priority as we endeavour to create a seamless transition for all involved.
“We know this may be a worrying time for staff, residents and relatives of Riverside care home, however, it is our commitment, as a people-centred organisation, to ensure we offer the support and stability for all our people to ensure the ongoing and continued care of all residents.”
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