Three care homes for elderly face closure in city shake-up

A report to be considered by members of Bradford Council recommends that Laurence House, Meadowcroft and Thackley Grange homes should all be axed as part of a major review of care by the local authority.

Families and residents have said that they do not want the homes to shut but members will be told the buildings are not up to required standards and the cost of maintaining them is high. The report says the authority is using: “resources to keep unsatisfactory buildings operational.”

The report is part of the review of council-run care provision that has been taking place over the last two years with council bosses saying the current buildings are not up to standard and future generations of older people will have different expectations.

It says that the council faces the difficult task of putting in places its long-term vision for older people at a time of decreasing resources.

“Consultation took place for three months, January - March 2011. Older people and families expressed appreciation for current services and do not wish them to close.

“They expressed concerns about what the new provision would be if homes close, the impact of moves, that the private sector would not offer the same quality of care and that there might be financial cost for families.” “The local Alzheimers Society have expressed concerns about loss of residential, respite and day services at Laurence House for people with dementia,” the report adds.

A report on the future of three Bradford Council care homes will go before a meeting of the council’s executive on Friday, June 24

The report recommends that the three homes should close this summer but only when arrangements have been made to ensure that all residents’ needs will be properly met by other providers or in other council homes.

This follows three months of consultation with residents, their families and staff at Laurence House, Meadowcroft and Thackley Grange, as well as day care users and others.

Coun Amir Hussain, executive member for adult services, said: “We should be clear, if the recommendations are accepted, no home will close until all residents have appropriate alternative accommodation and have had sufficient time to make a smooth transition to their new homes. No-one will be left without high quality accommodation.”

The report looks at future needs and demands for long-term support and day services for older people and looks at how the authority needs to plan for the future.

It is estimated that essential works alone at the council’s care homes over the next five years would cost £5.2m.

In December 2010 the council’s executive made residential care a priority by deciding to pursue its intention to secure capital funding for five new purpose-built homes, providing specialist shortterm care and long term dementia care.

The budget approved by full council in February prioritised £17m over four years for the development of the new homes.

Moira Wilson, Bradford Council’s strategic director for adult services, said: “Our priority is to make sure that older and vulnerable people get better quality accommodation more appropriate to their needs.

“If the decision were taken to close the homes then there is sufficient high quality provision in the private sector to meet the needs of current long-term residents.

“The council could accommodate short-stay provision in its other facilities without any detriment to the quality of care or accommodation.

“Everyone currently attending day care at one of the three homes would also be offered day care at alternative day centres.”