A staff member raises concerns over the treatment of residents after a care home closure in Cornwall led to tragic outcomes
Cornwall: A staff member from a care home that closed down recently has come forward with some serious claims. They say that after residents were moved from Trefula House, some sadly passed away shortly after the move.
The council shut down Trefula House at the end of 2024, saying it wasn’t fit for purpose anymore. They had bought the place back in 2019 to keep it running, but despite improvements, it just didn’t work out. Now, they’re trying to find a developer to take over the site.
According to the staff member, the process of moving residents was rushed and poorly handled. They mentioned that some residents were moved far away from their homes, which added to the distress. For instance, one man who lived in St Day his whole life was sent to Penzance.
Families were often left in the dark too. Some showed up to visit their loved ones only to find the home empty, not knowing where they had been taken. The staff member believes this sudden change might have had a devastating impact on some residents.
They shared that management had warned that moving residents could be harmful, and tragically, two residents died shortly after being relocated. One was frail and shouldn’t have been moved, while another, who seemed healthy, passed away just a week after the move.
It’s heartbreaking to think about how some residents reacted. The staff member recalled seeing residents with dementia who were terrified during the transport. They were crying and confused, which is just so sad.
After the last resident left, staff were still required to go in and clean up. One family member was shocked to find out her sister had been moved without her knowledge. It’s just not right.
While some staff were redeployed, many others, especially nursing staff, were left without jobs or support. The council has responded, saying they worked closely with families to find suitable placements, but the staff member feels that the reality was quite different.
They’re hoping for a better future for care in Cornwall, but it’s clear that this situation has left many feeling hurt and confused.
