The holiday companies behind a major care home operator have confirmed they have gone into administration.

Four Seasons Health Care is one of the UK’s largest independent health care providers with over 250 care homes across the UK caring for more than 13,000 people.

In Kent, it runs the Copper Beeches Care Home in Rochester, the Beechcare Care Home in Darenth, near Dartford, and the Peter Gidney Neurological Centre, also in Darenth, which caters for adults with neurological conditions.

The problems stem from issues with its two holding companies - Elli Finance and Elli Investments - over repayment of debts.

No care homes will be closed or care changed as a result of the issues.

Instead, it is hoped they will be sold as going concerns.

KentOnline has been told there will be no change to any existing health care provision, staff and management at the centres will remain in place and there is "plenty of money" within the profitable care home operation to ensure they will continue to operate if and when sold.

In a statement, Four Seasons says it expects an "independent sales process" to be completed by the end of the year, and has appointed Alvarez & Marsal as administrators to the holding companies that carry the debt.

Neither own or operate any care homes or hospitals directly.

"Today’s news does not change the way we operate or how our homes are run or prompt any change for residents, families, employees and indeed suppliers..." Dr Claire Royston

It added: "The group has entered into a funding agreement which provides sufficient operational funding to ensure continuity of care for all of the group’s residents and patients during the independent sales process period.

"The aim of the independent sales process is to achieve the highest or best offer for the group for the benefit of all stakeholders, to ensure continuity of care and to maximise value for creditors."

Dr Claire Royston, group medical director of Four Seasons Health Care, added: “Today’s news does not change the way we operate or how our homes are run or prompt any change for residents, families, employees and indeed suppliers.

"Our priority remains to deliver consistently good care. It marks the latest stage in the group’s restructuring process and allows us to move ahead with an orderly, independent sales process."

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