Social Care admits struggle over trying to recruit Southlands' staff

The Department of Social Care has admitted that it has failed to develop and recruit enough staff to maintain appropriate staffing levels in a southern care facility.

The Gansey Unit at Southlands, which looks after elderly and mentally infirm people, is being closed next Tuesday for at least a month.

It’s because the number of employees has reached a level where care standards will be compromised if it continues to operate.

Eight residents will now be transferred to the EMI unit at Thie Meanagh in Douglas.

Assistant director of adult social care Cath Hayhow says the department has taken all possible steps to recruit staff but has been unsuccessful:

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