Closure threat to care homes

The Lawns in Whitnash and Park View in Warwick are placed third and fourth in a ‘closure matrix’ set out by Warwickshire County Council officers, which schedules homes in Nuneaton and Rugby to close this summer.

The results of consultation with residents and their families over possible closure of the county council’s 10 care homes will be discussed by the council’s cabinet committee on Thursday.

In a report to councillors, strategic director of adult health and community services Wendy Fabbro said it was “unsustainable” to do nothing, faced with required savings of £22 million in adult social care.

She recommended inviting “expressions of interest” from potential buyers, firms willing to go into partnership with the council or social enterprises prepared to run remaining homes.

Whitnash Residents’ Association has discussed taking over the Lawns. Cllr Bernard Kirton (Ind) said residents were consulting an accountant to see if running the Lawns was “sustainable”.

He stressed there was a need to weigh up the costs “coldly and calmly”, adding: “Nobody is going to be prepared to take homes off the council’s hands unless there is a business case to do so.”

The county council extended its consultation into closing homes until December. Results showed residents’ families opposed selling homes to the private sector, fearing costs would be cut to generate profits. Some 53 per cent supported public-private ‘joint ventures’ and 42 per cent favoured social enterprises running homes.

Warwick couple Celia and Tom Bellamy protested about the closure of Park View, where Mrs Bellamy’s late mother had lived.

Mr Bellamy said the couple were still “appalled” that homes might close and added he would want safeguards to ensure standards were maintained.

He said: “It’s vital they are carefully inspected. Park View was superbly run. You couldn’t criticise the care.”

Warwick and Leamington MP Chris White believes social enterprises could solve the funding problem facing care homes.

He described joint venture companies as an “arm’s length” option, citing worries that council involvement lasted only three years.

Mr White said: “I am a passionate believer in social enterprises and I am pleased the consultation shows residents are willing to at least consider this innovative idea. It’s time the council started working with residents to explore this as a serious option.

“This is a real opportunity for the county council to take a lead and proactively find groups, such as the one already forming in Whitnash, to set up social enterprises to take over their care home.”

The councillor responsible for care homes could not be contacted at the time of going to press.