Leeds care homes and day centres at risk of closure

The residential homes earmarked for closure are Amberton Court in Gipton; Burley Willows in Burley; Fairview in Seacroft; Manorfield House in Horsforth; Musgrave Court in Pudsey; Primrose Hill in Boston Spa; Home Lea House in Rothwell, and Suffolk Court in Yeadon.

The proposal is to transfer residents to other homes, or community-based organisation, while Suffolk Court is to be developed into a specialist ‘intermediate’ care unit in partnership with the NHS.

Four adult day centres are also at risk of closure. They are Burley Willows in Burley; Naburn Court in Whinmoor; Queenswood Drive in Headingley and Doreen Hamilton in East End Park.

Clients will be helped to find other support services, if the centres are closed.

The proposed closures are part of a bid by the City Council to find £54.9m in savings amid shrinking government funding.

A report will be handed to Leeds City Council’s executive board on Friday asking them to give the go-ahead for a 12-week consultation to consider the future of residential care and day centres.

During the process residents and their families and/or carers will get the chance to meet with senior care staff and give their feedback.

The process will start in March.

Councillor Lucinda Yeadon, executive board member responsible for adult social care blamed “reducing resources” at a time when the city had “more older people to take care of”.

She said: “We realise older people and their families will feel anxious about the future of their care homes, and I would like to assure them that we are very sympathetic to their feelings and that everyone’s views will be listened to – and heard.”

Demand for long-term residential care is decreasing, said Coun Yeadon.