There is still time for people to give their views on the future of accommodation for older people in a number of our residential care homes.
People have until Friday 4 March to have their say in a 12-week public consultation on the future of seven older homes which need major refurbishment.
Our Cabinet agreed to launch the consultation after hearing significant repairs are needed, including replacing boilers, heating systems, refitting all kitchens and bathrooms, roofing works and installing sprinkler systems.
There is also a pressing need to carry out an invasive rewire in each home by September 2022 which means significant disruption for residents who would have to move out for up to 40 weeks for this to be completed.
Even if the repairs costing around £30 million were carried out, Cabinet was told that the homes are no longer fit for purpose and do not have the space to use essential equipment, en-suite facilities or the capability to be adapted to provide high quality care for older people with increasingly complex needs.
Cabinet also heard that COVID-19 had accelerated a reduction in demand for care home places both locally and nationally with more people preferring to remain independent at home with support from the council. They voted in favour of asking people what they thought of options for the future of:
Ladycross House, Travers Road, Sandiacre
Beechcroft, Nursery Avenue, West Hallam
East Clune, West Street, Clowne (including East Clune Day Centre)
Holmlea, Waverley Street, Tibshelf
The Spinney, Landsdowne Road, Woodlands, Brimington
Goyt Valley House, Jubilee Street, New Mills
Gernon Manor, Dagnell Gardens, Bakewell
The options to be consulted on are to:
rewire 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 sprinklers 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
Councillor Natalie Hoy, Cabinet Member for Adult Care, said:
“We are keen to hear the views of as many people as possible about the future of these homes.
“The extent of work needed in these homes is significant and in order to ensure the safety of our residents and staff it could not be carried out with people still living in them. Doing nothing isn’t an option.
“I understand this will be unsettling but I’d like to reassure people that no decisions would be made until we’ve heard from everyone and taken their views in to account.”
Find out more about our future strategy for care homes including detailed condition and electrical reports for each home and to fill in the online questionnaire.
Members of the public can also get more information or request a paper copy of the questionnaire by contacting the Stakeholder Engagement and Consultation Team, email tell.adultcare@derbyshire.gov.uk or by ringing tel: 01629 531307.
Direct consultation has taken place with residents, relatives and staff at the homes affected by the proposals.
Even before COVID-19, long-term admissions to residential care homes in Derbyshire dropped by a quarter and during the pandemic. This fell a further 20% in 2020 to 2021.
Across Derbyshire almost 40% of care home providers are reporting occupancy rates below 80%.
In a recent survey of clients supported by our adult care service, almost 70% said they did not want to go into a care home but overwhelmingly wanted to stay in their own home for as long as possible with the right care and support in place.
Meanwhile demand for our home care services in 2020 rose by 12% with more than 5,200 people a month now receiving support to live at home, compared to 4,500 in 2018.
