Future of care provided for the elderly under scrutiny in city

Earlier this year they agreed to consult on the future of three homes in the city and look at building five new care homes but now officers are proposing the plans are revisited after costs spiralled.

Members of Bradford Council’s executive committee are being asked to delay making a decision on whether to shut Harbourne, in Wibsey, Holmeview in Holme Wood and Neville Grange, in Shipley, until further work has been undertaken with partners.

Last October the local authority agreed to axe three other homes - Laurence House, Meadowcroft and Thackley Grange. It has been previously estimated that essential works alone at the council’s care homes over the next five years would cost £5.2m.

Public talks have already been held on the future of Harbourne, Holmeview and Neville Grange and a report to the council’s executive on July 17, says the vast majority praised the quality of care they receive from staff and opposed original plans to close the homes.

Coun Amir Hussain, executive member for adult services, said: “We know that our current services need to change and are not sustainable for the future. However, we have listened to the views expressed and have decided we need to further consider the plans and a wider range of options before any further decisions are made on the future of our remaining care homes.

“We understand the concerns of residents and their families and will continue to work in the best interests of existing and future service users to ensure we have the right range and choice of services for the people of Bradford. “It is only by working with partners including the NHS and other organisations on a comprehensive plan for the years ahead that we can ensure all needs are met.”

The authority says revised and increased costs for building five new 40-bedded care homes means more work is needed to consider alternative ways of delivering services. The authority says it also needs to work with providers to ensure there is suitable care across the district, particularly for specialist dementia care.

A report, prepared for committee members says: “It is clear from the revised estimates that the £17m approved in the Capital Investment Plan (CIP) for the residential review programme is not sufficient to build five new 40 bed homes and that an alternative may be to retain two of the existing homes and build three new homes.....”

The report concludes current care has to change but more work needs to be done with partners looking at future care of older people and those with dementia. Council chiefs say revisiting the plans also gives the authority a chance to ensure adequate care is in place and there are no care gaps.

It is also keen to ensure that future services meet needs and increase choice, such as offering more support for people at home and developing alternatives to residential care. The council has said service users and their families will also play a role in planning any future care.

With a significant rise in the older population over the coming years and a predicted increase in those with dementia over the next 20 years, the report concludes that more work needs to be done with the NHS to ensure the right accommodation and support is available, particularly for those with complex needs.

Work is already underway and a full plan could be presented to the council’s executive in January next year.

The authority’s decision to close Laurence House, Meadowcroft and Thackley Grange last year sparked opposition from families and residents who did not want to see the homes closed down. But a report said the buildings were not up to required standards and they were expensive to maintain.

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