Consultation will involve seeking the views and opinions of those who would be affected by the proposal to close care homes. Consultation will involve detailed assessment and risk assessments for all residents, as well as an assessment of the impact on relatives. The impact on staff and the potential for redeployment / relocation to other jobs is also an essential part of consultation.
Before taking a final decision about whether a care home should close, Cabinet must consider the full impact that such a decision would have on the lives of residents, staff and relatives. Of particular concern is the impact of such a move on the health and wellbeing of very frail residents.
Cabinet agreed a programme of modernisation for the in house provision of residential care for older people. This 5 year programme will consist of the closure of some care homes to fund the improvements required. When completed the council will have converted 4 care homes into resource centres, and created three fully refurbished care homed for people with dementia.