Conservative-led Derbyshire County Council (DCC) are planning on closing seven care homes across the county – including two in Bolsover District at East Clune in Clowne and Holmlea in Tibshelf.
The news has been met with anger and dismay by local Labour representatives as the conservatives said pre-election in 2020 ‘that no care home will close without a ready replacement’.
But once again, now the elections have happened they have gone back on their word and are proposing to close care homes.
A report to the county council’s Cabinet stated that their preferred course of action would be ‘the possible closure of the seven homes’.
They claim the homes need £30 million of repair work including refitting all kitchens and bathrooms, roofing works, replacing boilers, heating systems and installing sprinkler systems. A consultation on the proposed closures is available for people to complete until Friday 4 March 2022.
Speaking out against the proposals, Steve Fritchley said that this was not party politics but a case of a moral obligation and duty to local residents.
“The County Council have a statutory duty to provide social care. They collect money through the council tax for this purpose and then they announce they are planning on closing seven care homes across the county.
“I do not understand the philosophy of the decision. Surely we should be protecting our elderly and those with complex needs and providing them with the long-term care they need.
“Some of the residents will have been in these homes for years and built bonds and friendships. So if they were to be closed then they could be re-homed miles away from their friends and family – which is simply not acceptable.”
The options being consulted on are to:
- Review and carry out major works to refurbish the homes including:
- Installing boiler and heating systems
- Replacing bathrooms and kitchens
- Removal of any asbestos
- The fitting of sprinkler and redecoration – this option would require residents to move out for up to 40 weeks
- Close the homes and support residents to move to other local, suitable alternative provision
- Close the homes and support residents to move to any available suitable alternative provision.
However, Steve believes closing the homes is not the only option. “I understand that buildings like care homes take money, but Bolsover District Council has invested in care homes and in the elderly.
“In the past year alone over four million pounds has been invested in refurbishing Ashbourne Court in Shirebrook and Parkfields in Clowne, exactly what the County Council say they do not want to do. Thirty six million pounds is being spent on building new council properties for the benefit of local residents. So it can be done and this is the proof.
“There are many people who simply cannot look after themselves and rely on the services of local authority run care-homes, so either refurbish the properties or come and talk to us to see how we can work together and build new modern care homes were local people can live and get the care they need and deserve.”
In January 2021, the Prime Minister Boris Johnson told MPs he would deliver social care reform “later this year” as care homes demand assistance as they tackle the COVID-19 pandemic.
Sandra Peake said, “Yes, we need to support those who want live more independently in their own homes, but closing care homes is not the answer. What will happen to those without the mental capacity or the ability to look after themselves - are they being told that they ‘want to be independent’? The assumption that everyone has the same desire for ‘independence’ is incorrect and deeply misguided.
“People with learning difficulties or those who are too frail deserve to live with a peer group, have company and be looked after with kindness, compassion and be assured of that long continuity of care. But that is certainly not what is happening here."
Cllr Fritchley added, “Let’s be honest, social care is not just a problem in Derbyshire, but a national problem and sticking plasters are no longer adequate as it is abundantly clear that we need a long-term plan to deal with it. But closing care homes, upsetting people’s lives, costing people their jobs and reducing the choice for those who may need our help is not the way to do it.”
As a Labour group we are completely opposed to these proposed closures and we are willing to work with the County Council to see how we can resolve the problem so residents can stay near to and be with family and friends.