'Our loved ones are at risk' say campaigners, as plans to sell Kirklees care homes gather pace
Families say their “loved ones are at risk” once again, as Kirklees Council looks to sell off two dementia care homes to the private sector.
Earlier this year, a tireless campaign saw Castle Grange at Newsome and Claremont House at Heckmondwike saved from the council’s axe. The homes are council-run and had been earmarked for closure as part of the bid to remedy the local authority’s financial predicament.
Those campaigning attended meeting after meeting, making heart-wrenching deputations, pleading with the council to save the homes of their loved ones, and expressing fears for the devastating impact a closure could have on the health of residents.
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The pressure saw the council make a u-turn and consult on other options. The local authority’s preferred option was to explore a possible transfer of ownership of the two homes to independent sector care providers, with the council continuing to run the homes in the meantime. This way forward was agreed by the Cabinet in March.
With the council’s plans gathering pace, the campaign group has reformed, with members attending last night’s (September 18) Full Council meeting to ask questions.
One of whom, Helen Plaskitt, whose husband John was diagnosed with early-onset dementia at age 57 spoke of the negative experiences of some residents before coming to Castle Grange and Claremont House. She urged individual councillors to think about their role in the decision-making process and the legacy this would leave.
She told the meeting: “My plea to you is not to sit back and use the excuse of ‘Cabinet decisions’ but instead join our fight, collaborate and find solutions to keep and continue improving Kirklees Council’s service to its community.”
In response, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health, Cllr Beverley Addy, said she understood it was a “terribly anxious time” for families. She continued: “In the current climate, we are not able to continue as we discussed and as was decided at the Cabinet meeting in March, and the future is to look for transfer into the independent sector but we will be looking for specialists in dementia care.
“They will be quality providers. We will not move forward until we find a quality provider for this and we will be consulting you.”
As for the next steps, a council spokesperson confirmed that the local authority had been exploring the option of a transfer to the private sector. They continued: “An update on these talks will be presented to cabinet next month with a view to proceeding with further formal negotiations with interested providers.
“The council’s financial challenges are increasing, and we have been clear from the outset that we would like to consider options which bring savings to the Council with minimal disruption to residents and their families.”
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