Barchester Healthcare Ltd
Profile
Barchester Healthcare is one of the UK’s “Big Four” for-profit care home providers. Founded in 1992, it has come under repeated scrutiny for providing sub-standard living conditions for its residents by the UK Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspections. During the COVID-19 pandemic, it was criticized for its secrecy regarding COVID-19 death numbers at its homes.
Residential and nursing care homes
Violations
| TOP OFFENCE GROUPS (GROUPS DEFINED) | PENALTY TOTAL | NUMBER OF CASES |
|---|---|---|
| safety-related offences | £197,961 | 1 |
| employment-related offences | £39,913 | 6 |
(March 21, 2023)
Stories
- The Privatization of Care: The Case of Nursing Homes by Pat Armstrong, Hugh Armstrong (2020)
- The privatisation and financialisation of social care in the UK by Kate Bayliss and Jasmine Gideon (2020)
- Marketization in Long-Term Care: A Cross-Country Comparison of Large For-Profit Nursing Home Chains by Charlene Harrington, Frode F Jacobsen, Justin Panos, Allyson Pollock, Shailen Sutaria and Marta Szebehely (2017)
- Where Does the Money Go? Financialised chains and the crisis in residential care by Diane Burns, Luke Cowie, Joe Earle, Peter Folkman, Julie Froud, Paula Hyde, Sukhdev Johal, Ian Rees Jones, Anne Killett and Karel Williams (2016)
Activism
Citizens UK Leaders Unite Outside Barchester Healthcare HQ in London to Demand a Real Living Wage for Care Workers Amidst Cost of Living Crisis
Citizen UK | December 16, 2022
On Thursday 15 December, Citizens UK community leaders from across the capital, including care workers, gathered outside Barchester Healthcare’s headquarters in London; calling on them to commit to paying their workers the real Living Wage amidst the deepening cost of living crisis.
Campaigners demand action as London workers struggle for real living wage
Heather Stewart | The Guardian | November 17, 2022
As inflation hit its highest level for 41 years, protesters from the community campaign group Citizens UK gathered outside a Haringey care home, run by the private chain Barchester Healthcare, to call for a real living wage for care staff.
Campaigners gather outside major care provider headquarters to demand real living wage for carers
Gemma Loyd | Home Care Insight | July 13, 2022
This includes Bupa and Barchester Healthcare in London; HC-One in Darlington; Four Seasons Healthcare in Cheshire; and Care UK in Colchester to call on them to commit to paying their workers the real Living Wage.
Protests after Barchester derecognises GMB union
Lee Peart | Care Home Professional | February 17, 2022
The GMB accused Barchester of making a “fresh attack on carers’ rights”. Rachel Fagan, GMB Lead Organiser, said: “If the government genuinely wants to help level-up low-paid workers and forgotten communities it cannot possibly be relaxed about care bosses stepping up the decade long race-to-the-bottom on the rights of care workers.
Barchester faces local opposition to new build care home
Lee Peart | Care Home Professional | July 2, 2021
Barchester Healthcare has faced objections from local residents to plans to demolish a West Yorkshire care home and replace it with a new build... The residents’ group said the development would have serious implications for neighbours and care home residents would have very little outdoor space.
Objections mount over care home plan for Greyhound pub site
Bev Holder | Stourbridge News | February 16, 2021
A planning statement says the intended operator is Barchester Healthcare who have been "involved in the design process to ensure that the proposals meet their operational requirements" and it adds that the proposed 2.5-storey facility with all ensuite bedrooms would offer up around 50 full time jobs.
Barchester consumer protection case
Competition Lawyers | August 1, 2019
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) is taking action in the Barchester consumer protection case under the pretence that consumer laws may have been broken.
Petition launched to save Glasgow care home
Glasgow Live | September 14, 2018
Barchester Alexandra Court Nursing Home in Carntyne, which houses 53 vulnerable residents, is due to be closed down. Campaigner Alison Fisher has opened a petition to prevent the "safe haven" from closure – praising hard-working staff who treat residents "like family."
International:
United Kingdom:
- GMB Union
- UNISON
- Older Living Matters
- We Own It
- Corporate Watch
- Centre for Health and the Public Interest
- Citizens UK
& Lawsuits
Barchester Healthcare to investigate after fire at Tixover House Care Home
Maddy Baillie | Rutland & Stamford Mercury | January 11, 2023
An investigation will take place after care home residents had to be rescued from a fire. Residents at Tixover House Care Home were evacuated on Monday night (January 9) during a fire caused by a dishwasher overheating.
High Court rules woman can continue human rights case on behalf of family friend
Leigh Day | March 23, 2022
The claimant, Susan Milner, is bringing a legal case against Barchester Healthcare Homes Ltd arising from the treatment and care provided to Elsie Casey. It is alleged that Elsie’s rights under the Human Rights Act were breached as a result of the care provided to her.
Nursing home worker compensated for race “harassment”
Jersey News | February 7, 2020
In her judgment, Tribunal Chair Hilary Griffin ordered that Barchester Healthcare, which owns the home, award the employee over £7,000 in compensation for harassment and direct discrimination, and urged that it provide diversity training to all staff.
CQC Inspection Report: People were ‘put at risk’ at ‘inadequate’ Barchester care home
Lee Peart | Care Home Professional | January 2, 2019
A damning CQC inspection report has found people were being put at risk of harm at a Barchester Healthcare home. Ritson Lodge in Great Yarmouth, Norfolk was rated inadequate following an inspection by the CQC that was prompted by whistleblowing concerns.
Police probe following death of Dunfermline care home resident
Dunfermline Press | September 1, 2017
Concerns have been raised about the care of the elderly man, who passed away last week. Canmore Lodge is owned by Barchester Healthcare and is a purpose-built care home providing nursing, dementia and respite care for up to 68 people.
CQC investigates care concerns at Barchester home
Lee Peart | Care Home Professional | June 28, 2017
The CQC has revisited Barchester’s Wingfield Care Home in Trowbridge, Wiltshire, after receiving what it described as “information of concern”. The inspection came after Warminster woman Sue Snethlage expressed fears over the care of her mother Eileen Davies following her death last month.
Care home patients treated like babies as inspectors found respect lacking
Beren Cross | Swindon Advertiser | November 27, 2014
The White Lodge, in Braydon, run by Barchester Healthcare Homes, was found to meet just one of the six standards assessed by the Care Quality Commission. The report showed concerns over users’ care and welfare, respect from staff, safeguards from abuse, medicine management and monitoring of service.
Care home under spotlight again after fresh complaint
The Northern Echo | December 31, 2005
An investigation has been launched after an under-fire care home was reported to national inspectors... Last night, a spokeswoman for Barchester Heathcare, which owns the home, said: "We can confirm that an anonymous complaint has been made and, as with all complaints, this will be taken very seriously.
& Relations
Director of care home paid £2.27m
Billy Briggs | The Ferret | July 28, 2022
Barchester Healthcare — which is owned by Jersey-based Grove Limited — runs more than 200 care homes across the UK including 18 in Scotland. Some of its jobs for care workers are advertised at £9.90 an hour, just above minimum wage.
Anguish as Hull care home set to close with 34 residents and 50 staff in limbo
James Campbell | Hull Daily Mail | July 25, 2022
The wife of one resident says the lack care facilities in Hull is 'criminal'... Barchester Healthcare has confirmed the Castle Rise Care Home in Wawne Road in Sutton will close its doors by the autumn.
Family claims 'prison care home' left mum with filthy feet as place 'reeks of urine'
Monica Charsley | Daily Star | February 17, 2022
Kate Terroni, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care at CQC, told the Daily Star: “CQC has been made aware of concerns regarding Forest Hill in Worksop, Nottinghamshire, which is run by Barchester Healthcare Homes Limited.
Private care home director took home 120 times more money than front line staff
Marc Shoffman | iNews | December 3, 2021
Analysis of Barchester Healthcare’s accounts suggest its highest paid director received 120 times more than care staff employed by the company during 2020, while Care UK’s accounts suggest its highest paid director got paid almost 50 times more than care staff last year.
Barchester Healthcare: Fury as leading care provider chain puts up fees for elderly residents
Susie Coen | Daily Mail | March 7, 2021
Outraged families have said they are ‘disgusted’ after one of Britain’s biggest care providers increased its fees by thousands of pounds per year. Barchester Healthcare told relatives already crippled by high fees they will face extra costs to pay for higher staff wages, utility bills and rent.
Senior Devon nurses suspended amid horrific care home abuse claims
Joel Cooper | Devon Live | January 7, 2020
Outlining the allegations of abuse, the NMC report into the hearing of Mrs Watterson said: "On 13 July 2017, a whistleblowing disclosure was made to the CQC that residents had been verbally and physically abused at the home by a care assistant (who is referred to as Mr 2)."
Care home manager accused of verbally abusing resident was unfairly dismissed
Lauren Brown | People Management | June 28, 2019
Carol Streener, who worked for Barchester Healthcare, was summarily dismissed for gross misconduct after a complaint was made that she had allegedly told a female resident to “stay in her own shit”. However, North Shields employment tribunal ruled that the investigation lacked “any objectivity or rigour”...
Inadequate care at three luxury homes owned by high-end care providers Barchester, HC-One and Bupa
Sarah Whitebloom | Older Living Matters | November 27, 2018
Despite being owned by three of the best known care groups in the UK, the homes – HC-One’s Pytchley Court in Northampton, Barchester’s Sherwood Lodge in Preston and Bupa’s Battersea-based Meadbank - have each recently been awarded the worst possible rating of ‘Inadequate’ following investigations by teams of CQC inspectors.
Newington Court care home still failing residents after second Care Quality Commission inspection in seven months
Steve Waite | Kent Online | September 1, 2016
The home, in Keycol Hill, is run by Barchester Healthcare Homes. It had been inspected in October 2015 when five breaches of the Health and Social Care Act were reported. Shortcomings included failure to manage medicines effectively, being under-staffed and staff not receiving the necessary training.
Ottley House care home 'unlawfully' locked residents in room
BBC | December 12, 2014
Ottley House, which is run by Barchester Healthcare, was rated as "inadequate" by the Care Quality Commission following an inspection. The report said people were "unnecessarily deprived of their liberty, they were not always respected and staff were not supported."
Werrington Lodge residents 'left in urine-soaked beds'
BBC | August 8, 2014
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) said Werrington Lodge in Peterborough was "unclean" and failed to protect its residents from the risk of infection. Cambridgeshire Police said it started an investigation at the home last month following agencies' concerns. Owner Barchester Healthcare said "immediate action" had been taken...
Covid-19
Families of 4,000 Scots care home residents killed by Covid no closer to justice two years after investigation ordered
John Jeffay | The Scottish Sun | May 1, 2022
Barchester, the firm which owns Drummond Grange care home, said it is deeply saddened but is unable to comment further.
EXCLUSIVE: Fatcat care home bosses paid themselves £7million while claiming £27million Covid relief
Dan Warburton | The Mirror | March 6, 2022
Analysis of accounts of four of Barchester’s companies show they received Covid grants in 2020 totalling £26,769,000. Two of them handed a total of £7,385,000 to directors that year.
Basingstoke care home provider to contest death figures
Ryan Evans | Basingstoke Gazette | July 28, 2021
Barchester, which runs Ashcombe House, St Thomas care home and Marnel Lodge in Basingstoke, as well as Cherry Blossom in Bramley, was unhappy with the report released by the Care Quality Commission, which revealed the number of deaths from Covid in care homes.
Investigation launched into COVID-19 death at Barchester care home
Lee Peart | Care Home Professional | June 24, 2020
Rodger Laing, 80, died 22 days after moving into Drummond Grange care home in Edinburgh which is operated by Barchester Healthcare, the Mirror reported.
Scandal of secrecy over soaring care home deaths
Claire Warrender, Sean O'Neil and Jake Keith | The Courier | May 2, 2020
Another major operator, Barchester, which runs Ochil Care Home in Perth and South Grange Nursing Home in Monifieth - where there have been at least 13 deaths - has also declined to release information.
Financials
Barchester Healthcare is a privately held company.
Major Projects
Barchester Healthcare to be put up for sale as owners eye £2.5bn price tag
Insider | July 16, 2018
Barchester Healthcare, one of Britain's biggest care home groups, is to be put up for sale in a deal that could net its owners around £2.5 billion.
& Evasion
Care home operators 'beg for taxpayer cash despite being run by offshore firms'
Nick Sommerlad | The Mirror | July 9, 2019
Barchester Healthcare Limited runs 200 care homes and made £1.9million profit last year but paid more than £100million in rent to another UK company which is “owned by common controlling shareholders”. Both firms are ultimately owned offshore.
Britain's care home providers will be forced to declare their links to offshore tax havens
Sarah Whitebloom | This is Money | November 25, 2017
Among the so-called Big Five, Barchester is owned by a Jersey-based company.
Britain's Biggest Care Home Owners Have Debts of More Than £4.5 Billion
Corporate Watch | November 6, 2012
Barchester is one of five of care home operators owned from tax havens – which can make thorough scrutiny of company finances very difficult. Its ultimate holding company Grove Ltd – which is part-owned by Irish billionaires John Magnier and JP McManus – is based in Jersey.
Procurement
CorpWatch is still gathering procurement data for Barchester Healthcare at this time.