The shock closure of a Whitstable nursing home will leave almost 40 staff jobless and 13 elderly residents desperately searching for a new place to live.

Devastated workers at St John in Gloucester Road were told about the decision to shut the “much-cherished” 18-bed home at a meeting on Friday.

Founded by four Whitstable women in 1947, it is the only nursing home operated by St John Ambulance and is heavily financed by donations and legacies.

Among the residents who face having to find a new place to live when the home shuts on May 31 is 103-year-old Gwen Dickinson.

Her daughter, Lesley Dickinson, says she cannot bring herself to tell her mother about the closure because it is “too distressing”.

She is now pleading with charity bosses to reconsider the decision to shut the home.

“The staff were devastated,” said the 73-year-old, who lives in Northwood Road, Tankerton. “They’re a very special team, a family, giving exceptional personal, caring support to the residents.

“Where is the charity or the care for these elderly residents who are very happy with the running and the very special compassion and homely atmosphere of this small, 18-bed home?

“I was there on Friday, visiting my mum, already suffering confusion and anxiety due to dementia. I haven’t told her yet. I can’t, it’s too distressing.

“It is an old building and has had maintenance problems but the important matter is the residents get fantastic care, both by the care staff and a team of trained nursing staff.”

There are 39 members of staff employed at the home and 13 residents.

After an independent review of its operations, St John Ambulance decided residents would be “better placed” with a different provider due to their increasing needs.

"The sight of staff comforting each other on realising the dreadful impact of the home closure on the residents they care so passionately for was heartbreaking..."

Chief operating officer Richard Lee said: “We appreciate this is an anxious time for the residents and their families and we’re working closely with them to ensure the residents continue to receive the good quality care they have experienced with St John, and are well looked after and settled in their new homes as soon as possible.

“Their care and well-being, and ensuring they’re treated with dignity and respect, is our priority.

“We must thank our staff for the wonderful care they provide the residents and their families, and we realise this is a difficult and upsetting time for them.

“We are engaging a partner agency to assist all our staff to try to secure alternative employment.”

The charity will be working with staff and residents, and Kent County Council, to support them before the closure.

Ms Dickinson has questioned the actions of the charity and fears the home will be sold to developers.

“Do they have no compassion for these elderly residents, many of whom have contributed to society for a lifetime and the staff, all of whom have a very special bond?” she said.

“I’ve never witnessed such a strong bond within staff as I’ve seen in this home.

“The sight of them comforting each other on realising the dreadful impact of the home closure on the residents they care so passionately for was heartbreaking.”

Whitstable MP Rosie Duffield met with representatives from St John’s Ambulance yesterday afternoon to discuss the closure - who told her "the decision is final".

After the meeting, she told KentOnline: "I will follow developments closely as the transition of care is underway to ensure the best possible outcome for my constituents.

"This closure is set against a backdrop of an increasingly unstable social care industry.

"More than 900 care homes were closed last year in England and the Conservative Budget yesterday failed to announce any additional provision or plan for social care - a crisis which leaves millions of families suffering every single day.

"Whenever I have visited St John Care Home, I have been struck by the highly professional and deeply compassionate staff, some of whom have worked there for decades. We are losing a real asset to our community with this closure."

Ward councillor Neil Baker (Con) says Kent County Council should do all it can to lessen the impact on the residents affected.

“Clearly the home is much-cherished by many people - both those who live there, have lived there and their relatives,” he added.

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