Opposition to Care Home Closures
Last week I helped to arrange for the Conservative Cabinet’s proposals for closing the last of Coventry Council’s care homes to be closed and the residents in them moved out into new homes.
Originally, I supported the idea of New Homes for Old, and even though it meant land I would have wanted used for a Health Centre by Stoke Heath School was lost, I accepted the location of the new care homes on Heath Crescent.
However, I am concerned for some of the residents who are to be moved from their existing homes. Some have severe dementia and need routine and consistency. I have even been told of cases where the stresses of moving can, in some cases, cause these vulnerable people to die.
I do not know what all the risks are, but if there are such big risks then I think the Council should do everything it can to mitigate them.
The Cabinet did not listen when these issues were raised at their meeting and pressed on with the idea. That is why I now want the Council’s Scrutiny Co-ordination committee to look at the issue. It has the power to ask the Cabinet to think again.
It may not do so, if the Conservative members on the committee side with their party leadership. I am not even clear on Labour’s position on this case, but I do know I do not feel enough has been done to try to protect our most vulnerable citizens and I am determined to try to get the Council to think again.
The crutial meeting is this Wednesday, 13th August, at 1pm.
2 Comments
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Hi Russell- there is evidence to prove that moving residents from one care home to another does impact upon their lives. Having new care homes is important, but regardless of the surroundings, the quality of care delivered is something that cannot be bought. I set up a website called Whereforcare earlier this year in order for residents, relatives and professionals to be able to write reviews of their experiences of care homes in order to provide a start point for those looking for good care in their area. It is a challenge trying to generate reviews, but I am confident that this can become a benchmark for care delivery in the future, regardless of whether that care is socially or privately delivered.
Hi Lisa,
Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately I have been rather ill this week and missed the meeting. However, I understand the Scrutiny Committee agreed with the Cabinet Member and nothing has changed, unfortunately.
It makes sense that moving elderly, vulnerable people is going to cause a great deal of disruption. Unfortunately, the Council leadership does not want to face that possibility and is pushing on with this regardless.
I will certainly be continuing to demand that the Council thoroughly monitor and scrutinise this process to make sure everything is done to minimise disruption. And keep on demanding that the Government put more money into Social Services to make sure Councils can afford to look after our most vulnerable citizens.