GCC have said in a statement that the closures are due to a lack of demand and the buildings are no longer fit for purpose.
Undoubtedly both homes need refurbishment to bring them up to modern requirements but the need for 24 hour nursing home accommodation, especially specialist dementia care is not going to disappear or be solved by closure and replacing with home care. The closure of 64 beds and relocation of 56 residents is going to reduce bed capacity across the district and put huge pressures on home care and unpaid family carers.
The proposal from GCC seems very flawed and shortsighted with no apparent evidence to support their claims. Transparency and a much more detailed strategy of managing both short and long term care is urgently required from GCC before making cuts that will cause great distress to current residents and their families.
