A SPECIALIST hospital designed as a centre of excellence for dementia care is set to shut its doors after less than six years in operation.

Abbey Court Independent Hospital in Birchwood is set to close due to ‘staffing levels and agency costs’ within the next six months after its owners gave notice to NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group of their intent to cease provision of services.

The hospital was only opened in December 2010, designed as a centre of excellence for dementia patients over the age of 55, and provides care for up to 30 people with complex mental health problems.

A spokesman for Alternative Futures Group, which runs the Ainscough Road hospital, said: “Alternative Futures Group has advised NHS Warrington CCG of its intent to cease provision of a dementia service from Abbey Court and as such will be issuing the CCG with a termination of contract notice.

“This decision was taken as a result of considerations, including staffing levels and agency costs, challenging Alternative Futures Group’s sustainably-focussed healthcare model.

“As a result Alternative Futures will no longer be in a position to accept any new referrals – this does not relate or affect any other Alternative Futures facility.”

The hospital was recently ordered to improve by the Care Quality Commission, who found that it had a high staff vacancy rate of 17 per cent and a similarly high long-term sickness rate of 11 per cent during their inspection in January.

A report into the hospital found that it ‘relied heavily on nursing agency staff that were not able to perform all the duties of a nurse employed directly by the hospital’.

Alternative Futures Group, which relaunched the Lea Court Treatment and Recovery Centre in Dallam just last week, said it was working with NHS Warrington Clinical Commissioning Group to relocate patients.

Their spokesman added: “As the commissioners of the service, NHS Warrington CCG is in discussions with a number of alternative providers to explore all options to secure appropriate alternative care which meets the needs of patients.

“We would like to assure you that patient safety and quality of service will remain paramount and Alternative Futures will continue to work closely with NHS Warrington CCG during the notice period to ensure the safe and seamless transfer of all patients to a new provider.”