An 80-year-old resident is one of several in search of alternative accommodation after the care home in which she lives announced the closure of one of its units.

Advinia Ltd announced the closure of Dove House, one of the units at Mill View, in a letter from its divisional director Lianne Webb at the end of the last month.

The care home on Bridgeman Street, Great Lever, contains more than 100 residents across multiple units at the moment. On September 20, after an inspection, it received a rating of "requires improvement" from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) due to issues such as staffing pressures.

The closure of Dove House at the end of this month comes as a result of these staffing pressures and as a result of an increase in costs due to the cost of living crisis.

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Ms Webb said: "Taking all this into consideration and after discussions with the local authority and public health stakeholders we believe to ensure the long-term viability of Mill View and to ensure the delivery of quality, safe care the care home should be optimised to four units.

"I regret having to announce this news which, sadly, will affect your relative and loved ones in Dove House. 

"[Manager] Cameron [Murison] and the senior management team will continue to maintain their focus on the care and wellbeing of the residents between now and the closure of Dove House. 

"They will be on hand to provide you with any assistance and support you may need when looking to place your loved one into a care home, either with Advinia Ltd or another care provider."

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One resident in search of alternative accommodation is 80-year-old Renate Whewell, who stayed at a number of residences after a stroke before she settled at Mill View.

Brother Nikolai Matvienko, from Great Lever, said her condition means a lot of alternative accommodation is not suitable as the other residences are not "up to the task".

Mr Matvienko said: "I think it's a bit perturbing for them to have a one-off meeting and that's it.

"They are moaning they can't afford to run it any longer but they haven't tried to raise the money."

Ms Whewell has no family other than Mr Matvienko, his children and his grandchildren.

She had a husband but he died a number of years ago.

Mr Matvienko said: "She's got me, my kids, their kids.

"She's my eldest living relative and I have a longing to keep her for as long as I can."

A spokesperson for Advinia Ltd said: "We have had meetings with the local authority to request resources for the high level of care we are having to deliver at the home for some time. These requests have not been complied with.

"To safeguard the residents and the reputation of the home we have had no choice but to make this decision. We hope the local authority is able to respond appropriately and the unit does not need to close down which will add to pressure on hospital beds, increase waiting times, increase sickness days and affect the local economy."

A spokesperson for the council said: "We recognise the announcement regarding Mill View Care Home will result in a great deal of uncertainty for the residents, their relatives, and the staff.

"Advinia Ltd reassures us this affects only one unit in the home which is due to rising costs and difficulties in recruiting and retaining nursing staff. However they state the rest of the home will continue to operate as normal.

"We have a fixed tariff for care placements comparable with other local authorities and we have distributed government grants fairly.

"In 2023/24, Bolton Council provided the care sector significant uplifts in funding, 13.96 per cent for standard residential care placements, and 22.96 per cent for nursing placements. In addition we continue to meet with providers to support them to continue providing high quality care and to improve their workforce challenges.

"We are committed to ensuring high quality care and the safety of residents, and as such we are working with the residents, their relatives, and partner organisations to identify appropriate alternative arrangements."

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.