A care home that was placed in special measures after a series of scathing inspections is to permanently close for financial reasons.

Management at the Dr French Memorial Home in North Finchley have confirmed the home will close by the end of October, with work ongoing to rehome as many as 23 residents.

The home said it was closing for financial reasons.

A statement said: “We confirm that the Dr French Home will be closing at the end of October.  In the meantime we are working closely with Barnet Council to ensure that our residents’ moves to their new homes go as smoothly as possible, and we are grateful for their support.

 “Dr French, a charity, has been providing residential care for the elderly for well over half a century.  Sadly, we have come to the decision that it is no longer financially viable for us to continue to do so. 

“This is as a result of the ongoing financial implications of the pandemic, increasing staff costs, and the upkeep and continual need to modernise an old building at a time of constantly changing regulations.

“We are very proud of the excellent care our staff present and past have given to our residents, and greatly appreciate the very positive comments we receive from residents and their families.”

Earlier this year, the care home was placed in special measures following a visit by the Care Quality Commission in February.

Inspectors found the home to be “inadequate” after “significant concerns” were found that impacted on the safety and quality of care and people’s wellbeing.

The CQC noted that issues raised in previous inspections, which resulted in warning notices being issued, had not been resolved.

The CQC report stated: “We were concerned that despite quality issues being raised at the last two inspections, remedial action in key areas to ensure people's safety had not been implemented. We remained concerned at the lack of care planning documentation, including risk assessments.

“We also found continued concerns with supervision, lack of effective audits and medicines management.”

It continued: “We have identified four repeat breaches in relation to safe care and treatment, person centred care, consent and governance of the service at this inspection. We have identified new breaches of the regulations around meeting nutritional and hydration needs, safeguarding and notifying CQC of other events.”