News RSS Feed


Mobile news, sport and travel from the Daily Echo Coverage of the swine flu outbreak The Daily Echo is now on Facebook Southampton Cenotaph Memorial Wall Campaign


Care homes facing threat of closure

10:49am Saturday 30th August 2008

comment Comments (40)   Have your say »


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

Ian, bitterne park says...
11:40am Sat 30 Aug 08

And so the cutbacks have started. As its a Tory Council I think I will call them stealth cuts. Typical Tories picking on the weakest section of the council the care workers.

Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
12:06pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Preying upon the most vulnerable elderly members of our society. This real ugly face of Heartless Evil & Nasty Party.

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

why dont the council take pay cuts like the rest of us and then see wats it really like! and to give specian constables free council tax wat a waste of money just like these psco they are no good lets get some real bobbies on the beat

George, says...
12:15pm Sat 30 Aug 08

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?

kebab man, home care home says...
12:29pm Sat 30 Aug 08

shame

RACHAEL, EASTLEIGH says...
12:30pm Sat 30 Aug 08

It is rubbish that it is the tory council. My mum worked in in Birch Lawn until 2002 and they had been talking about it for years then.

Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
12:34pm Sat 30 Aug 08

George wrote:
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?
It also says "However at least one of the centres is thought to have a waiting list because bed space is in such demand."

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

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

anonymous, says...
12:57pm Sat 30 Aug 08

This is what happens when the council decides to employ a private company to save them money. No thought to the poor residents being kicked out of 'their' homes and the staff. So what is being cut next?

J. Roost, says...
1:08pm Sat 30 Aug 08

If the Council actually are looking to improve their services for the elderly then that is a good thing to do. However, I suspect that is not the case. I cannot believe that demand is falling. I do not believe that care in the home is working because it is far too expensive. So, what to do?
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

Don't worry. They are building a new BUPA care home in Merry Oak at a cost of £M5.7'ish so there you go. Council will pay a private company to look after us. NOT!
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

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!

Paramjit Bahia, Southampton says...
2:06pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Musher, thanks for info. Just checked on it.

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

when i was told about this news from my partner about what she had herd i thought cost saving straight but then i thought money talks in every form that we know, now the credit crunch is upon us and things are now going to get alot worse before they even get better one thing still supprise me about life we manage to continue on as our familys did before the term credit crunch was born. i for one am not looking forward to the future as things seem to go from bad to worse .i hope that the pepple behide this big news on the elderly and decide what is going to happen with them will think twice about there futures and when thay get old the power move to one person to another.

from andy (maybush) sarge

Ian, bitterne park says...
3:38pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Bacon Butty wrote:
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
What does affested mean?

A lightly humourous post spolit by bad spelling.

Ian, bitterne park says...
3:41pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Richard wrote:
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!
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.

Saving money but at what cost?

michelle, says...
4:29pm Sat 30 Aug 08

My grandad has been a resident at Birch Lawn for 3 years. Whilst in hospital he was assessed as needing full time care in a care home. He did not have the option of staying in his own home or with family, but now the very system that put him in the home is going to boot him out. Due to "MONEY" he has been told he may no longer be able stay somewhere he conciders to be his home. The council may say that more elderly are cared for in their own homes, but many of the residents at Birch Lawn do not have that option. It breaks my heart to think my grandad who fought for this country can be treated in this way.

Matt Probert, Harefield says...
4:45pm Sat 30 Aug 08

The cuts to Social Services are country wide, and also include childrens' services. But as proven by the gas, oil, electric and water companies etc etc, and the low prices they charge us consumers, the private sector does it so much better.....NOT!

Terry Foster, Bitterne says...
4:51pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Torys watch out the beuracts in council will have you making wrong desicisions , they dont care as long as they retire at55-60 on full pay they dont care for anyone but themselves and certainly not for the elderly who have to be in care homes who have not been consulted or had any say in the closing of thier world/home.Most countrys look after thier elderly Southampton please review your uncaring decision and keep our care homes for those in need, stop being heartless!!

Artful Dodger, Millbrook says...
7:31pm Sat 30 Aug 08

It is certainly a big worry. If they close Care Homes, where is Denzil going to live?

KevG, Eastleigh says...
8:01pm Sat 30 Aug 08

The current law / legislation is so wrong when it comes to elderly care. If you own your own home you can be forced to sell it to pay for your care in your twilight, and needy years.

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:
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.

paul b, says...
8:26pm Sat 30 Aug 08

stop the dole for anyone who has been on it for more than 2 months

no able bodied person should be out of a job

dirty scrounging vermin

methinks, everywhere says...
9:01pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Denzil wrote:
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.
How do you brainwash Denzil?
Give him an enema.

Tory boy, new forest says...
9:13pm Sat 30 Aug 08

With an ageing population and my Tory chums closing down non profit making council homes, I had better find out who has won the contracts from Southampton, so I can invest in their shares. Its a sure bet, as the Council will fund the care, with taxpayers money, the new providers will manage to make a good profit and my shares will go up without me having to lift a finger.
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

Don't the people of Southampton realize that nothing is safe under the tories?

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

I've been to a few jobs at Whitehaven Lodge and the staff there are very good, which these days is a miracle for elderly care homes. I also go to plenty of elderly people in their homes who clearly AREN'T being cared for and clearly aren't coping. This supposed 10% decrease in demand is because people are falling through the system unnoticed half the time. I also have to say that one of the worst care homes I've ever been to is the one on Bassett Road....the super dooper, Sunrise one that costs £1000 to live in. The care there is appallingh from what I've seen from attending jobs there.

Robin Chainey, Soton says...
11:03pm Sat 30 Aug 08

Council people are nothing but a bunch of closet, money grasper's, more interested in their perks and free globe trotting junkets then really helping their community, making decisions about vulnerable peoples lives, who know nothing about the area, for they do not even live in it, and do not really care, of course they will pretend too, putting in their expenses claims before jetting off on a jolly good holiday, I,m alright jack.

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

I am appalled by the tories at this one - where's Alec Samuels going to retire to in five years time?

Think of your leader!!!

Condor Man, Southampton says...
7:50am Sun 31 Aug 08

Funny how that old Trot Mike Tucker spouts off. He who encourages SCC staff to go on strike yet as he's paid by Unison doesn't lose a days pay unlike his deluded members.

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

Yes so often this is happening. The current budgeting by Supporting People eats into the profits of running Sheltered Housing and at that point councils and housing associations trot out all manner of unlikely reasons why some should be sold. Tricks they employ often include allegations that they are sub-standard or the site can be used for affordable housing. In answer to that the Government 'Decent Homes Standard' is not that demanding and it is seldom, indeed, that Sheltered Housing would fail the criteria. As for affordable homes, well.......Sheltered Housing is already Affordable Homes !

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:
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.
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

Where is your constructive thoughts Denzil - you have a far thinking objective but unfortunately you are becoming one of the below bar who has no thought but a twisted idea of humanity - are you so dumbed down you have no deep down thoughts of your own, if not - shut up - you will be regarded as a nutter

clair

Ian Palmby, southampton says...
1:00pm Sun 31 Aug 08

My mother lives at Whitehaven Lodge, it is her home. What the council official don't seem to realise is what heartbreak and distress this closure will put on the residents. It's fine for them to say 'don't worry we will find you a new home'. This is their home and their life. We are talking about very vulnerable and fraile people most of whom have no way of voiceing their concerns. How many of the councillors who will vote on this closure have parents or relations in one of these homes? This unwanted stress will send some residents to an early grave. Maybe this is what the council want!

Pat from Millbrook, Millbrook says...
5:47pm Sun 31 Aug 08

Shame on Southampton City Council for wanting to make money at the expense of our elderly residents
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

My mother is in Whitehaven Lodge and has been for just over a year. She is frail but has an active mind. Prior to going into the home, she had "care in the community" which consisted of three 15-30 minutes visits each day.The last visit was about 6pm and the first 8am, so if she had fallen over, and she did several times, she could have been lying on the floor for 14 hours unattended. At Whitehaven Lodge she has the choice of, being on her own or being in the company of others. She is a very independent lady but the security Whitehaven offers is someone is there to keep an aye on her and ensure she is feed.
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

Hold on people clearly want to be cared for in their own homes so why should they be victimised and not get the services they want and be forced into a home?

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

The City Council is outsourcing the jobs of Carers into the hands of private providers what are the probabilities that that some of the 80 employees at Whitehaven and Birch Lawn homes will go on benefits and their homes will not be repossessed by the banks, let us think……………. Councillors.

susan, southampton says...
12:48pm Tue 2 Sep 08

How can they justify closure of these two care homes when there are so few local authority homes in southampton, people maybe staying in thier homes longer (is this because there are not enough places aleady)but they will need to go into one sooner or later if there's no one to look after them,what happens then?we know the elderly population is growing so it makes sense to increase these places not to rip them down,also it seems to be overlooked that people who do stay in thier own homes often need respite through illness,repair or updating thier own homesand what about the people who care foe the these elderly people don't we need regular respite?

Lyn withey, says...
10:29pm Wed 3 Sep 08

Iamdisguted and dismayed to read of this closure.this is a wonderful place for the elderly.Do those who are doing it know they will one day need thses places.Maybe less wow factor money and time wasters could save this place and remind the councilors who have done this sad deed that those were the people who put them where they are,let them live their days in this little haven.

Comments are closed on this article.

Video News Food & Restaurant Reviews

Local Advertisers


Local Information

Enter your postcode, town or place name

House prices »   Schools »   Crime »   Hospitals »