Chateau des Tielles, the nursing and residential home on Route de Pleinmont in Torteval, was owned and run by three local directors for nearly 24 years, before they decided to retire last year. The home went on to the market in April 2025 at £5.25m., and sold at an undisclosed price to Patience Healthcare earlier this month. The new owners aim to continue its legacy.
‘The only thing with the sale was to make sure that it goes to the right people, who will continue to look after the residents, their families, and the staff, and provide continuity to ensure there’s stability in the home,’ said former director Peter Adam.
‘To me, the residents were always first and foremost priority, as well as making sure the staff were well looked after. Some of the staff members have been there as long as I have, so we must’ve been doing something right.
‘We’ve left the home in full occupancy, fully staffed, with a good management team and I can only wish the new owners and the management team every success going forward.
‘Hopefully they’ll keep up the goodwill of the home, and the reputation that it has. After meeting the new owners on a few occasions, I can say they are nice people, and it’s still in safe hands.’
Patience Healthcare Group runs three agency care operations in the UK, all offering social care support for people in their own homes, based in Middlesbrough, Cheshire and Sussex.
This is its first acquisition of a care home and first venture outside of the UK. But director Jack Baker said the group is up to the challenge. Fellow director Kelly O’Connor has more than 25 years’ experience in the healthcare sector, which includes running care homes.
‘We’re very excited,’ said Mr Baker.
‘This care home in Guernsey came across my desk and we just decided to pursue it. We got a really good feel for the home, the island and the sellers. They obviously really care about the home, and the residents.
‘Guernsey is a lovely island, and we decided it will fit really nicely into our portfolio. We’re not going to change anything about Chateau des Tielles. It’s fantastic as it is. It’s in a beautiful location and Peter has done a wonderful job – we gather the residents absolutely love it there. It seems silly for us to change anything, so we’re going to keep everything exactly as it is.’
The current team of about 24 full-time staff at Chateau des Tielles will stay on. Before leaving, Mr Adam appointed Sonia Singh – who has worked at the home for more than 12 years – as director and home manager, and Cindy de Carteret as care manager. They will continue with the day-to-day running, supported by frequent visits from the directors of Patience Healthcare.
‘They’ve both been there for years, and I have full trust in them,’ said Mr Adam.
‘The residents will be well looked after, there’s nothing for them to worry about. They will still see all the familiar staff faces, and that’s important. The team will ensure the highest possible standards of care are maintained.’
Mr Adam began his career in healthcare as a local nurse at the age of 17. After developing his skills, both on and off-island, he became a senior staff nurse in intensive care at Princess Elizabeth Hospital, and gained further experience in a number of other roles, before leaving to work in the private sector. He and his ex-wife bought Chateau des Tielles in January 2004, and converted it from a hotel into a care home.
‘I’m 63 years old now and I’m just shy of 48 years in the profession, so I think it’s time to retire,’ he said.
‘I gave a third of my life to Chateau des Tielles, together with the other two directors, and we all felt that now was the right time to pass it on to the right people to take it forward. Our philosophy when we took it on was to convert it into a nursing home that provides the highest standard of care, but within a homely, loving and caring, family-orientated environment. And we believe in our hearts that we achieved that.
‘The home is very much part of the local community, keeping the residents as active and stimulated as possible. I’m very proud of all we have achieved. It is with a heavy heart that I leave – I love the residents and the staff – but I’m very happy that Sonia and Cindy will continue with the new owners, who hold the same philosophy.’
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