A CARE home in special measures will close in February.

The closure of Carnarvon Care Home, in Clacton, was announced to its staff members and residents in a meeting on Wednesday.

A member of staff, who wishes to remain anonymous, says about 60 workers and 29 residents will now have to find new accommodation or means of employment.

She said: “I am really annoyed because I had a good job there and believe care homes in the area need to keep up their standards for the residents and their relatives.

“We argued at the meeting the residents are really ill and don’t have that long to live and I don’t think it is right that they have now got to be put somewhere else.”

She raised concerns over whether she would be offered redundancy pay, even though she has worked at Carnarvon Care Home, operated by BUPA, for the last ten years.

BUPA boss Sarah Melia denied this redundancy allegation and said the company will be speaking to each individual to help find alternative employment.

She said: “If we are unable to find the right position for them, those are who are eligible will receive redundancy pay.”

The closure comes following a report published by the Care Quality Commission in October which gave the care home inadequate ratings and placed it into special measures, with a six month improvement deadline.

A Care Quality Commission spokesman said: “We were informed on Tuesday the provider had taken the decision to close the service voluntarily.

“We continue to work closely with the local authority who have assured us they are working with BUPA to effectively manage the transfer of residents to alternative, suitable accommodation.”

Mrs Melia said: “The decision to close the home is in no way a reflection on the home manager, or the wider management team.

“The layout of our Carnarvon home no longer provides the space or facilities that our residents need.

“Having reviewed the options, it’s become clear that we cannot adapt the building in the way we want to. This is why we have reluctantly decided that it’s in the best interests of our residents to close the home.”

An Essex County Council spokesman said: “We are working with the home and Care Quality Commission to ensure the quality of care improves whilst we find alternative accommodation for the residents.

“We are committed to ensuring every Essex resident in need of support receives the best possible care available.”