Nursing Homes

 

Belgian crackdown after Orpea’s French folly

Outside France, nursing home group Orpea has largely escaped scrutiny in the countries it operates in following its well publicised difficulties, except in its French-speaking neighbour - Belgium. HBI catches up with two operators in the region to hear what the knock-on reputational impact has been like for Belgian businesses.

Record fines are putting care homes at risk

With UK for-profit group Cygnet Health Care being fined £1.5m last month following the death of an inpatient at Ealing Hospital in 2019 - the largest ever penalty imposed on a mental health provider - we speak to four European experts to consider how punitive fines from regulators are impacting providers’ bottom line.

Controversial care cuts in the Netherlands on hold following fall of government

Elderly care in the Netherlands has been stuck in a state of limbo for a while now. Political upheaval over the summer and the collapse of a four-party coalition government after 18 months in power has only made the future of care - and the implementation of planned budget cuts - harder to predict. HBI chats to a consultant to find out more.

Four Seasons revives portfolio sale, selling 11 homes

After a dragged-out sales process lasting over a year, UK care home operator Four Seasons Health Care (FSHC) has finally confirmed the conditional sale of some of its remaining homes. Eleven are due to sell for a total of £41.3m in cash. The deal is expected to be completed later this year.

Post Covid regulations in Spain could lead to care home closures

New regulations designed to protect an aging Spanish population post-Covid could see older, outdated care homes forced to close. HBI speaks to Alberto Fernandez, CEO of Madrid-based REIT Healthcare Activos to find out more about the risks and opportunities this presents.

Major outside hires at Orpea and AXA Health

This week, two major personnel changes were announced, one at the top of the French nursing home group Orpea and the other at UK health insurer AXA Health. Both names are outside hires, Fabienne Dulac from French telecoms company Orange France, and Heather Smith from financial service provider Allianz respectively.

Commissioners hurt UK care homes

UK nursing homes are facing record fines and the prospect of financial failure, but one market expert argues that providers shouldn’t be shouldering the burden alone. HBI investigates who or what exactly is to blame and what more can be done to alleviate pressures and improve the quality of care.

HC-One closes all Cambridgeshire homes

Large UK nursing home operator HC-One has confirmed the closure of its three remaining Cambridgeshire homes following extended embargoes placed on the operator by the council in the spring. The homes have been deemed “no longer operationally and financially viable”. HBI investigates.

Germany cuts red tape to recruit outside EU

This summer, a new immigration reform was passed to make it easier for workers from non-EU countries to relocate to Germany. An Indian organisation plans to train 2,000 nurses for the German market. HBI speaks to experts to find out who will make the most of the changes and if it’s the best course of action to combat labour shortages.

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