The closure of a Cardigan nursing home has been described as "a blow to elderly care" in the area.

Bridell Manor Nursing Home, near Penybryn, which houses around 20 residents, is expected to close next month due to a lack of staff.

Hywel Dda Health Board announced last week that Buckinghamshire-based Ashberry Healthcare would close the home following a "lengthy period of difficulty in recruiting qualified nursing and care staff due to a national shortage, which is a particular challenge in very rural localities".

Now AM Elin Jones and MP Ben Lake have called on local authorities and health chiefs to work closely with the care home, residents and their families to find suitable alternative care and placements.

“The news that Ashberry Healthcare is set to close Bridell Manor Nursing Home, near Cardigan, is a severe blow to elderly care in Ceredigion, especially in the south of the county,” said Ms Jones.

“There are many Ceredigion residents that live in this nursing home, which provides care for people with advanced dementia.

“There is also very little alternative provision.

“Hywel Dda Health Board now needs to work urgently with families and patients to ensure that their needs are prioritised.

“Ashberry has stated that the main reason that it has taken this decision is that it has difficulty in recruiting qualified caring and nursing staff at the home.

“There is also a longer-term strategy needed to ensure training of sufficient staff locally. This is a matter I will raise urgently with the Welsh Government minister for health.”

See this week’s south papers for the full story, available in shops and as a digital edition tomorrow