Care home closures: the provider perspective

As part of a wider investigation into supply of care homes a study was conducted investigating the factors and circumstances that lead to homes closing from the perspective of independent providers. Following five in-depth exploratory interviews structured interviews were designed and conducted with 20 owners, managers or owner/managers of homes that had closed within the previous two years or (in one case) were at the point of closure. The interviews focused on the background and motivation of providers, the characteristics and history of the home, the combinations of factors and circumstances that led to closure, and the closure process and consequences for staff and residents. The process and consequences of closure will be reported in a separate paper.