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Proposals to safeguard care homes unveiled
Posted on 11/07/2007
P. Klein
Proposals to safeguard the future of 10 care homes have been unveiled by Leicestershire County Councils leader.
Following public consultation, the Council is proposing to withdraw plans to close up to two of its 10 elderly peoples homes " and consider whether to transfer six to new owners instead.
Council leader David Parsons announced the proposal to consult on the new approach at todays full county council meeting. He has pledged all-party talks on the issue.
Speaking after the announcement, he said: "We have listened carefully to all views and understand why people have concerns about the idea of closing two homes.
"That is why we want to consult on proposals to keep all 10 homes open and allow existing residents and staff to stay where they are, while pursuing our intention to develop more extra care housing.
In March, the County Council proposed to close or convert up to two of its 10 elderly peoples homes, in order to create two extra care supported accommodation schemes. Extra care enables elderly people to live more independently, in flats or bungalows, with access to support when they need it.
Following public consultation, the Council is now withdrawing the proposal, in recognition of concerns about possible "distress and disruption caused by any home closures. A total of 150 responses were received, of which 59 relatives, residents and staff from existing care homes opposed the idea. Many were concerned about the possible stress of moving residents to new homes and also the possible loss of specialist staff. However, there was strong support (77 responses) for the idea of more extra-care.
To address these comments, the Council is now proposing to keep all 10 elderly peoples homes open.
It is proposing to consult on:
- Transferring six homes as "going concerns to independent providers, in whose homes 85 per cent of the county councils care placements (1,575 people) already live. The homes affected would be Catherine Dalley House in Melton, Hadrian House in Thurmaston, Huntingdon Court in Loughborough, Harvey House in Barwell, Kirby House in Kirby Muxloe and Woodmarket House in Lutterworth. This means that existing residents and staff could remain there.
- Retaining the four homes which provide specialist support, such as dementia care. These homes would be Lenthall House in Market Harborough, Curtis Weston House in Wigston, The Limes in Hinckley and Tillson House in Coalville.
- Drawing up further plans to develop extra care schemes across Leicestershire.
The Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee and the Cabinet will discuss the report in the next few weeks and Cabinet will decide whether to launch a further three month period of consultation, leading to a more detailed report later this year.
www.leics.gov.uk/residential_care_homes
Background:
The Council made the original proposals in March. It wanted to provide more extra care housing as an alternative to residential care, as there are only four extra care schemes in Leicestershire at present.
If the Council was to proceed with the new idea of transferring six homes to the independent sector, it would not mean any reduction in care standards - all independently-run homes are registered and inspected by the Commission for Social Care Inspection and have to meet the same standards as council-run homes.
No resident would have to move and existing staff would transfer to the new owner under the Transfer of Undertakings (Protection of Employment) Regulations.