Care homes facing threat of closure (From Daily Echo)

Care homes facing threat of closure

10:49am Saturday 30th August 2008 in

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TWO council-run care homes in Southampton are set to close in a major shake-up of elderly care provision.

More than 70 people face redundancy and almost 90 elderly residents could lose their homes if plans to axe two of six centres go ahead.

Staff at Whitehaven Lodge in Millbrook and Birch Lawn in Sholing were told the devastating news when council officers turned up for a meeting. Some were reduced to tears as they were told that their jobs were on the line.

An hour later residents and their relatives, who had been invited to attend a meeting at the centres, were also delivered the major blow.

Council chiefs say that the plans to close two centres form part of a major review of service provision in the city, which is understood to have been secretly ongoing for several months.

They claim that a fall in demand of more than ten per cent, due to more work being done to help elderly residents stay in their own homes, is one of the reasons behind the proposals.

However at least one of the centres is thought to have a waiting list because bed space is in such demand.

Union chiefs believe that the closures, which will be decided upon by the city council's Cabinet at the end of next month, are simply a bid to save money.

£1.5m Council estimates seen by the Daily Echo value the sites - in Buttermere Close, Millbrook and Sullivan Road, Sholing - together at £1.5m because of the size of the land. The council reckons that both plots could be sold off for housing.

Joe Alsford, 56, is one of the many relatives of residents shocked by the news. His 83-year-old father has been at Birch Lawn for several years.

He said: "He's very upset. It gives him a sense of purpose and community living there which he didn't have in sheltered housing.

"It's a very happy home."

Council bosses are refusing to discuss the plan in detail but the Daily Echo understands that both homes, which also cater for residents with dementia, will be gradually run down. That process could take between 12 and 18 months, and then remaining residents would be forced to move into other accommodation.

Unison boss Mike Tucker said: "Those working at the two homes have been left shattered by this decision. They are disgusted that the council is making this closure decision in order to save money and also to realise the value of the homes if they are closed and the land is sold.

"The main concern for the staff at both homes is the residents who they care for each day, although they are obviously concerned about their own situation as well.

"There have been rumours about closures in the past but nobody ever thought it would happen."

Unison, Unite and the families of residents are planning demonstrations.

In a statement Councillor Ivan White, Cabinet member for adult services, said: "The demand for our residential care is decreasing, and we are keen to ensure that we continue to plan for future demand.

"We are therefore reviewing our own in-house service to ensure this not only meets the high standards our customers expect from us, but also to consider whether this is the right way to deliver this service in the future."