26 residents of Altbridge are being transferred to other homes

Twenty six elderly residents at the privately-run Altbridge nursing home at Whitford, near Holywell, are being moved to other homes in the area.

The owners, Guardian Care Homes, said they have found it hard to recruit enough qualified nursing staff because of the home's remote rural location.

A £4m sheltered housing complex could be built on the same site.

Gary Hartland, the Managing Director of Guardian Care Homes UK Ltd said the company took over the operation a year ago and had invested £70,000 in refurbishments but the staff costs had made the business unviable.

"We have unfortunately found it increasingly difficult to recruit enough permanent qualified nursing staff to work at the home due to its remote rural location," said Mr Hartland in a statement.

"As a result, our bills for agency staff to provide nursing care to residents have mounted, threatening the viability of Altbridge as a nursing home," he added.

Site redevelopment

Some residents have already been transferred to other homes. Flintshire health and social services officials are helping to resettle the others.

The company said it had considered operating the home without nursing staff on site, however after discussion with the Care Standards Inspectorate for Wales it was decided that this option "would not be feasible".

Guardian Care Homes is considering redeveloping the site, establishing 40 sheltered apartments where people can live independently with care support.