A CARE home in Romsey has lost its battle to stay open.

Edwina Mountbatten House, in Palmerston Street, is run by not-for-profit organisation The Countess Mountbatten of Burma Memorial Trust.

It has 23 beds supported by 30 full and part time staff.

A registered charity, the management of the home is overseen by a board of trustees.

Now, following consultation and research, the trustees have taken the decision to close the care home on Friday, July 15.

Hampshire Chronicle: Edwina Mountbatten who the home was named after Edwina Mountbatten who the home was named after

A spokesperson for the trustees said: “We have to face the very difficult decision that the home is not financially sustainable due to its small number of beds, rising domestic costs and as a result of issues affecting the economy from around the world.

“The priority will now be, as ever, the residents and ensuring they have new homes before the closure date. The staff and trustees will be working alongside the resident’s families, other care homes in the region and local authorities to help in any way they can.

“The trustees wish to thank all those local people and other care homes who have sent kind messages of support, sympathy and understanding. It is a very anxious time and those messages have been very much appreciated.”

READ MORE: Care home in Romsey considers closure due to 'financial pressure and staffing issues'

Staff and Romsey locals reacted with shock to the news of the consultation and they had tried to get a campaign off the ground to save the home.

One family member of a resident said: "We are so sad about it."

Susan Pidgley said: "It's more than a home, it's a family. I cannot believe this is happening to such a wonderful home."

A statement sent to the Romsey Advertiser on behalf of the staff said they felt 'let down' by the situation.

It said: "We feel we have been let down. We have worked our butts off during the pandemic. We have not lost any one to Covid, our residents have all been safe.

"Our residents are well cared for and we go above and beyond to make sure they are all treated with respect and dignity everyday."

Hampshire Chronicle: Edwina MountbattenEdwina Mountbatten

The home was founded in the memory of Lady Edwina Mountbatten, 1st Countess Mountbatten of Burma and was established in 1970 by the Mountbatten family, local residents, Hampshire County Council and other supporters.

SEE ALSO: Staff, residents and public react with shock to news that Romsey care home is considering closure

It was last inspected by the health watchdog CQC in January 2021.

The report, published in April 2021, said that the home 'required improvement.'

At the time of inspection, the home care was looking after 16 people aged 65 in one building, arranged over two floors.

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