A farming family which branched out into nursing homes is celebrating its latest acquisition.
Stow Healthcare, which is run by the Catchpole family from the Stowlangtoft Estate, near Bury St Edmunds, has snapped up its second home in under a year with the acquisition of Attwood’s Manor Care Home, near Halstead.
It follows the recent purchase of Melford Court Care Home in Long Melford, and takes its overall bed capacity in East Anglia to 250 and the number of homes it runs to five.
The family started their farm diversification in 2010 with the dramatic turnaround of Stowlangtoft Hall Nursing Home, which was on its estate, after the business behind it went into administration, and later took on Ford Place Nursing Home in Thetford and Brandon Park Nursing Home, near Brandon.
In February, the firm’s Thetford nursing home, Ford Place, followed in the footsteps of Brandon Park to achieve a rare ‘outstanding’ accolade from the Care Quality Commission (CQC), both following unnannounced inspections. The business specialises in restoring historic homes, and invests heavily in them to return them to their former glory.
Attwood’s is currently registered for 65 residents and means the premium care brand can now expand into Essex. It is described as an elegant 19th Century country manor house that retains many of its original features, and provides long-term, respite and convalescent care to the elderly.
Managing director Roger Catchpole said: “We are delighted to have agreed the purchase of a care facility with such great potential. Despite the home struggling for many years, I am confident that with the support of Essex County Council, the Care Quality Commission, and the local Halstead community, we can turn this home into one of the best care homes in Essex.”
Mr Catchpole said he was committed to providing the highest quality care at the home, to be renamed Halstead Hall, and has taken over its running following regulatory approval by the Care Quality Commission. Stow Healthcare said it plans to invest significantly in its renovation and in staff training.
“I am determined to continuously improve the quality of care on offer at Attwood’s Manor, and in East Anglia more generally,” said Roger.
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