Future of troubled Kilkenny nursing home 'secure as sale agreed'

Aperee Living, which operates seven nursing homes in Ireland, including one in County Kilkenny, has been sold to a group of Irish investors with a track record in managing and operating nursing homes.

The transaction includes homes in Callan , Belgooly and Ballygunner as well as the partially completed site in Glanmire and the Rochestown site in Cork, which has full planning for a 100 bed nursing home and 47 independent living units. 

The portfolio has been bought by a consortium led by Paul Kingston, who has 25 years’ experience in the nursing home sector. 

It is expected that the sale will serve to enhance the care of residents, while continuously driving new standards and improving upon facilities. 

Earlier this month it was announced that the Callan nursing home, where 'serious regulatory concerns' were unearthed in recent weeks, was to be taken over by the HSE on an interim basis.

On November 3, the HSE/South East Community Healthcare (SECH) said it had been notified of a cancellation due by the Health Information and Quality Authority (HIQA) of the registration held by Aperee Living as provider for that company’s nursing home in Callan.

It followed the publication of reports by health watchdog HIQA on six nursing homes run by Aperee Living, which brought to light concerns relating to governance and management. A report into the Callan home said that issues of 'serious regulatory concern had not been fully addressed, and additional issues were identified' during an inspection this year, which further evidenced that the management structure in place was 'not sufficient to provide a safe service'.

HSE to step in at Kilkenny nursing home amid 'difficult time for residents', and serious regulatory concerns

Discussing the purchase of the group by the new consortium, Paul Kingston said “We are fully committed to providing the highest standards of care to all residents at the nursing homes we have acquired, prioritising excellent clinical support, dedicated personal care, companionship, daily activities and community events. We are very much looking forward to engaging with all our Directors of Nursing and their clinical teams, as well as meeting with residents and their families to  ensure we deliver a best in class service in the nursing home sector.”

Commenting on the sale, outgoing Director / Shareholder of Aperee Living David O’Shea said: “I am delighted to see the finalisation of this acquisition, which I believe will bring stability and growth to Aperee Living going forward. I would like to take this opportunity to wish Paul and the consortium all the best.”