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Care homes facing threat of closure
10:49am Saturday 30th August 2008
Comments (40)
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."
Your Say YourDaily Echo
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
12:06pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Most of these elderly people may have sacrificed their youth to protect the freedom and liberties we enjoy today. Shame on those who are now planning to treat them shabbily.
Do these uncaring con-artist Conservatives realise that change of environment upon elderly people can often have most serious effect upon their life expectancy?
Care in the community may sound nice, but it tends to struggle because of lack of funding. Even Tory leader of Hampshire is on record to have admitted to this fact. But obviously Thatcherite dogma is more important to Southampton's uncaring Conservatives than the elderly people.
Hope everybody with blood of humanity will support any campaign to help these elderly people and save the place they call their home.
concerned, home says...
12:09pm Sat 30 Aug 08
George, says...
12:15pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Read what it says "a 10% decrease in demand" and that is ongoing. It's common sense!
What else would you suggest they do?
kebab man, home care home says...
12:29pm Sat 30 Aug 08
RACHAEL, EASTLEIGH says...
12:30pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
12:34pm Sat 30 Aug 08
George wrote:It also says "However at least one of the centres is thought to have a waiting list because bed space is in such demand."
Don't get over excited! Read what it says "a 10% decrease in demand" and that is ongoing. It's common sense! What else would you suggest they do?
Fact elderly population is on the increase, is likely to increase demand in near future.
Considering changing residence in advanced age could emotionally destroy people, (it could be like mental torture) even if the place is to be closed phasing the process over a long period should be considered. That may be expensive option, but are we as society really that mean that we are not willing to do that for our elderly?
Bacon Butty, says...
12:56pm Sat 30 Aug 08
anonymous, says...
12:57pm Sat 30 Aug 08
J. Roost, says...
1:08pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Farm all of our elederly out to private care homes which will be more expensive for the Council and therefore more cost to local tax payers than it is currently.
I should know as my parents had to experience the care system some time ago and I can say that private care versus Council care there is only one winner and that is not private care, for the recipient that is. For the Conservative Council, paying the private care homes is all part of their philosophy.
I wait with bated breath!!!
Musher, Chavsville,apparentl
y! says...
1:26pm Sat 30 Aug 08
http://www.dailyecho
.co.uk/search/displa
y.var.1511191.0.new_
care_home_and_day_ce
ntre_for_city.php
Richard, Soton says...
1:50pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Keep up the good work!
Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
2:06pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Proves what Jean Roost has also said that fall in demand excuse is not reliable. Otherwise profit oriented business will not invest in this sector.
Keeping your info in mind, could it be that these homes are being closed to create even more demand for the likes of BUPA, who will exploit the market on the basis of demand and supply?
andrew smith, maybush says...
2:30pm Sat 30 Aug 08
from andy (maybush) sarge
Ian, bitterne park says...
3:38pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Bacon Butty wrote:What does affested mean?
oh it is such a shame, it really is, what are those nice peole going to do. It really upsets me it really does, I hate things like this it plays on my mind. What will those nice peole who have been affested do. Oh dear oh deary me what a to do
A lightly humourous post spolit by bad spelling.
Ian, bitterne park says...
3:41pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Richard wrote:Its a false economy involving the private sector in care. It will lead to worse care for vulnerable service users.Staff will be unskilled, low paid workers.
Lets be honest, the private sector would provide better services at less cost. So one again the Torys are stopping the waste and looking out for the residents of this city. Keep up the good work!
Saving money but at what cost?
michelle, says...
4:29pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Matt Probert, Harefield says...
4:45pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Terry Foster, Bitterne says...
4:51pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
7:31pm Sat 30 Aug 08
KevG, Eastleigh says...
8:01pm Sat 30 Aug 08
So, where is the incentive to work hard, buy your own home pand pay it off only to have to use it to pay for your care? There is no incentive.
There will be nothing to leave the children / grandchildren because paying for care is not just expensive, it is extortionate.
I wouold recommend home reversion. Take the money out of your home, and actually enjoy retirement and spend the value of your property on whatever you want. Home reversion is the way forward - I believe!
Denzil, Chilworth says...
8:19pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Artful Dodger wrote:I'll pay for my own care if need be sh1t for brains. That's what you're supposed to do, not scrounge of the state.
It is certainly a big worry. If they close Care Homes, where is Denzil going to live?
It's called responsibility.
paul b, says...
8:26pm Sat 30 Aug 08
no able bodied person should be out of a job
dirty scrounging vermin
methinks, everywhere says...
9:01pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Denzil wrote:How do you brainwash Denzil?
Artful Dodger wrote: It is certainly a big worry. If they close Care Homes, where is Denzil going to live?I'll pay for my own care if need be sh1t for brains. That's what you're supposed to do, not scrounge of the state. It's called responsibility.
Give him an enema.
Tory boy, new forest says...
9:13pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Excellent! - Privatisation works just fine for me and who cares about the taxpayers and the people needing care!!! I will be all right when I need care, because I can always fall back on the taxpayer, once I have squandered my profits . Great system !
Bob444, Southampton says...
9:28pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Everyone who didn't vote against the tories, including those who couldn't be bothered to vote, is partly to blame for these cuts - and there will be more to come!
Treble9, Soton says...
10:56pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Robin Chainey, Soton says...
11:03pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Only self seeking people grave such jobs involving authority, its human nature, of course they will wrap it up with noble sentiments about wanting to help people, yep, themselves mostly, prepare for more flats, sold to the private community, with a few communal homes thrown in to allow it through, yep, I know my place.
Sotonite, City Centre says...
11:26pm Sat 30 Aug 08
Think of your leader!!!
Condor Man, Southampton says...
7:50am Sun 31 Aug 08
Perhaps we should ship all the elderly up to Scotland where our tax money is being spend on free care- whereas down here the OAP's are forced to sell their homes to look after themselves. Don't blame the Tories, we are just forced into this by a Labour party who think it's apt that areas in the South (regardless of income) have to pay for the north, Scotland and Wales. Wake up and smell the future.
vernony, UK National says...
8:24am Sun 31 Aug 08
The question remains: What sort of council and what sort of government treats its elderly people in this way ?
www.shelteredhousing
uk.com
Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
11:05am Sun 31 Aug 08
Denzil wrote:Responsibility?
Artful Dodger wrote: It is certainly a big worry. If they close Care Homes, where is Denzil going to live?I'll pay for my own care if need be sh1t for brains. That's what you're supposed to do, not scrounge of the state. It's called responsibility.
Like you were responsible for the irresponsible post about the fatal crash involving Mick Channon?
If you had a brain, I would suggest you engage it before you start typing your irresponsible posts.
clair, Everywhere says...
12:37pm Sun 31 Aug 08
clair
Ian Palmby, southampton says...
1:00pm Sun 31 Aug 08
Pat from Millbrook, Millbrook says...
5:47pm Sun 31 Aug 08
by selling off Whitehaven Lodge and Birch Lawn Residential homes.
It's time the people of Southampton woke up to the fact that there will be nowhere for your parents and you to go when care is needed.
Vulnerable people can't afford Private Sector prices now let alone in the future when they will have a monopoly to charge what they want due to these closures.
Dawn Robns, says...
7:48pm Sun 31 Aug 08
Although she has three grown up children, my mum would not live with either of us, even though the choice was offered. Whitehaven is ideal as it keeps her within the local community she has been part of for about 53 years. If she is moved she will loose the contact with her friends and local church, Colne Avenue Baptist.
The need is there for this home, but the local authority has neglected it by the lack of investment in the fabric of the building.
I will fight this decision and also support residents and families of Birch Lawn also.
Unfortunately, today's government put a price on everything and in this case is doing at the expense of the vulnerable.
Realist, Soton says...
9:19pm Sun 31 Aug 08
There are two sides to this.
You have people in homes and people not in homes.
More people want to be in their own homes.
Therefore the council has got to change its services.
Yes it will be upsetting for some to move home and I hope that people are kept in friendship groups so that they can be moved together.
Also, the echo doesnt seem to say when the home closes?
Its one thing to turf out the pensioners tomorrow morning and sack all the staff but another if this takes two years.
Also, the echo is irresponsible in demanding an ice rink one minute then whipping up care homes the next.
If the council built an ice rink do you think it could afford any homes?
James, Southampton says...
2:09pm Mon 1 Sep 08
susan, southampton says...
12:48pm Tue 2 Sep 08
Lyn withey, says...
10:29pm Wed 3 Sep 08
CARE HOME : Birch Lawn
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Ian, bitterne park says...
11:40am Sat 30 Aug 08