Derbyshire saves care homes earmarked for closure

Derbyshire County Council has decided not to close seven care homes earmarked for closure until replacements are available.

The council’s cabinet met last week (4 June) to approve the plans, after a three-month public consultation on the possible closure and refurbishment of various care homes around the county.

After receiving more than 1,100 responses to the consultation, the council decided to drop plans to close seven care homes.
The homes originally considered for closure were:

• 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, Brimington
• Goyt Valley House, Jubilee Street, New Mills
• Gernon Manor, Haddon Road, Bakewell

‘The consultation began before the pandemic which has had, and will continue to have, an enormous impact on the future of care for older people in Derbyshire,’ said cabinet member for adult care, Cllr Jean Wharmby.

‘As a result, we are now proposing to develop local alternatives to the homes requiring major work or to invest in significant repairs to bring homes up to the best possible standards.

‘Where we can create ensuite facilities – which make such a difference to infection control within homes – we will do so, and we are keen to work to encourage developers to come and build new homes in line with our accommodation strategy which will also help to boost Derbyshire’s post-COVID economy.

‘We know that the consultation brought about concern for residents and families and I regret the anxiety it caused. It was, however, vital that we carried out the consultation given the condition of the buildings, their urgent need for major repairs, the potential cost and the disruption to residents that refurbishments could bring about. Those homes are simply not fit for purpose and we will not accept that for Derbyshire’s older and vulnerable people,’ she added.

‘We will now work to create homes fit for the 21st century that support our commitment to the wellbeing of those in our care whilst ensuring the minimum possible disruption to our residents. Further plans for investment will be brought to the cabinet for consideration and we will work with residents and families as we move forward.’

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