It is reported that the parent company of Reading's Riverview Care Home, Life Style Care(2011) Plc, has been placed in administration.
The home will continue as usual and residents and carers should not be needlessly alarmed. The administrators aim is to realise the value of the assets and the purpose-built facliities could hardly be put to any other use.
Riverview Care Home has had an eventful history. It was part of the Southern Cross empire, which was owned at one time by US private equity managers Blackstone. Blackstone and previous owners separated the properties from the care business in such a way that the care business paid rents increasing at 2.5% per annum while they realised massive returns by selling on the properties. In the end of course Southern Cross collapsed.
Taken over by Life Style Care(2011) Plc, the care home, with 137 beds, received a disastrous report from the Care Quality Commission in 2013, failing on all counts. It was put back in order with considerable assistance from Reading Borough Council, who needed to maintain its facilities for use by Reading residents in need of high levels of care.
Life Style Care(2011) Plc runs 23 care homes, mostly in the South of England, employs 2,200 staff and cares for 1,400 patients.
Should any residents’ families have any concerns they can contact Life Style Care(2011) on 020 7303 8244 or email Lifestyle2011residents@deloitte.co.uk . Employees can call 020 73036623 or email Lifestyle2011employees@deloitte.co.uk.