Care home closure plans go out to public consultation

Council chiefs in the city are seeking people’s views on proposals that could see Leeds City Council reduce the number of residential care homes and day care centres that it runs for elderly people as well as considering whether to increase charges for some services.

The future of all of the council’s 19 residential care homes for older people and 16 day centres is being considered as part of the review.

The drop-in event will take place at Morrison’s supermarket in Morley town centre on Thursday, May 5, from 9am to 4pm.

Public consultation events have been taking place around the city throughout April, aiming to get the views of as many people as possible about the future of the local authority’s adult social care services.

The council is keen to get as many people as possible to go along to the event in Morley.

Members of the public will be able to talk directly to officers about the proposals and give their views.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, the council’s executive board member for adult health and social care said: “We are facing huge financial challenges together with an ever increasing demand for our services, which means that we have to make changes to what we do and how we do it. However, we will do this in consultation with as many people as we possibly can.

“We are committed to modernising and improving our services, so that we can continue to deliver them for the vulnerable people that will need them in the future. We will manage changes very carefully to make sure that those affected are kept informed throughout.”

The authority is considering whether homes should be redeveloped to offer specialist care for people with dementia and frail or disabled people, if intermediate care would help people regain independence following a hospital stay, or if respite care is needed to give carers a break.

Day centres are being reviewed after a council report last year warned of falling attendances.

The council is facing major Government budget cuts.