Council to consult on future of care homes
GoogleA formal consultation is to be staged to help decide the future of two closure-threatened care homes.
Westmorland and Furness Council has been considering shutting Windermere's Applethwaite Green Care Home and Grisedale Croft Care Home in Alston.
It says the facilities face "significant challenges", including falling occupancy rates and high operating costs along with workforce pressures and the buildings themselves no longer meeting modern standards.
The Liberal Democrat-led authority said the 12-week public consultation would allow it to gather the views of residents, families, staff and the wider community in line with its legal duties.
It comes as the council says its plan for adult social care involves a move towards home-based support rather than residential care.
'Worrying' time
Applethwaite Green is a 27-bed residential home and currently has 15 permanent residents.
A report discussed by the council's cabinet said there were 12 other homes rated "good" by the care watchdog within 16 miles (25km) that could welcome the people living at Applethwaite Green.
Grisedale Croft, meanwhile, has 13 bedrooms and three permanent residents, but there is little alternative provision available around Alston, according to the document.
In this instance, the council says its preferred option is to "provide alternative accommodation in a suitable building in the local area if one could be acquired".
Cabinet member for adult care Patricia Bell said she acknowledged that "even the start of a consultation on options for the future may be worrying for residents, families and staff".
"These are people's homes and places of work, not just buildings, and we are approaching this with care, openness and respect," she said.
Final decisions are set to be made later this year.