Three residential homes including Combe Lea in Midsomer Norton, along with five extra care housing sites in Bath, Keynsham and Midsomer Norton were today (Oct 1) officially transferred to Bath & North East Somerset Council.

Staff who worked for Sirona care & health which ran the three community resource centres and five extra care facilities have transferred to the council's workforce.

Councillor Rob Appleyard, cabinet member for Adult Services, said: "I want to extend a warm welcome from the council to residents, their families and staff as the council takes over the running of the community resource centres and extra care services.

"I would like to thank Sirona care & health for the great work it has done running the services and for the safe transition to the council.

"When we set out to bring the community resource centres and extra care services back to the council no one could have envisaged the coronavirus pandemic and the enormous impact it has had and continues to have on our all of our daily lives.

"Keeping residents, staff and families safe is always our priority and I want to thank all the staff for the care they are providing working under such challenging circumstances. It is greatly valued."

Last September Sirona care & health gave notice that it planned to terminate its contract running the facilities in Bath and North East Somerset.

Throughout the transfer all 280 staff and residents have been assured the move would not affect the level of care being provided to residents or affect jobs for Sirona care & health staff, and no centres were being closed.

The facilities run by Bath & North East Somerset Council include:

- Cleeve Court (45 beds), Bath

- Charlton House (30 beds), Keynsham