Lancashire’s under review care homes will receive investment to ensure continued care and stability for residents, it has been announced.
The future of the five care homes in Lancashire has been the cause of debate, scrutiny and even protests after Reform UK launched plans to reprovision the sites, along with five day centres which are not mentioned in the announcement.
Opposition councillors, including the official opposition at Progressive Lancashire and Labour councillors, have campaigned against the plans, saying that the fact a timetable had been set out and circulated relating to the closure of the sites meant that they were at serious risk.
Read more: Family of 19-year-old who died in Grimsargh crash pay tribute to their ‘best boy’
Reform UK had maintained that no decision had been made relating to whether they would stay open or not and has now committed to keeping them open. They believe that the campaigning in relation to care homes is due to ‘scaremongering’ by the opposition.
No decision has been taken regarding the five at-risk day centres, Blog Preston understands.
County Cllr Graham Dalton, Reform UK’s cabinet member of Adult Social Care at Lancashire County Council, said: “Our priority has always been – and remains – doing what is right for the people of Lancashire who rely on our care.
“That’s why our review into the model of care across Lancashire has identified that investment is long overdue.
“Lancashire residents expect and deserve high-quality social care services. We’re committed to innovation and investment that ensures services remain safe, sustainable and fit for the future. Our existing care homes must receive the investment they deserve.
“Residents should be in no doubt that our administration is thinking of families and the workforce when we make decisions. Many have been understandably anxious during this process which is why we will share the conclusions of this review with you at the earliest opportunity.”
The announcement caused some confusion – coming during Wednesday’s (21 January) Budget and Finance Scrutiny Committee when questions were being asked regarding the future of the care homes.
Lancashire County Council officers had no statement prepared on the announcement but added that their official line is that no formal decision has been taken.
County Cllr Azhar Ali, the leader of the Progressive Lancashire opposition, said that it is only campaigning that has secured the future of the care homes.
He said: “Ten of thousands of people across Lancashire signed petitions and joined the campaign to save our care homes. The anger of residents and their families has forced a massive Reform U turn. We will continue to campaign to secure investment and keep all our care homes open for the future.
“The massive rally in Preston forced Reform kicking and screaming to change their mind which is welcome”
A spokesperson for Lancashire County Council later added: “We went out to consult on the future of our care homes, because we wanted to hear directly from residents, families and our workforce about what matters most to them. The council has not made any decision at this stage.
“Now that the consultation has closed, officers are analysing all the feedback and preparing a full report for cabinet in spring, where councillors will review the findings before making any formal decisions.
“Under the legal requirements of our consultation process, no formal decision can be taken until the consultation has concluded, the findings have been fully analysed, and a detailed report has been presented to cabinet for consideration.
“It is imperative that we follow the correct legal and democratic procedures and take the time to ensure residents’ voices are fully taken into account. Until that process is complete, no decision can be made by the council.
“We would like to thank everyone who took the time to share their views during the consultation. We understand how worrying and unsettling this process has felt for many people, but rest assured that your feedback is essential and will play a meaningful role in shaping the recommendations.”
The care homes – Favordale (Colne), Grove House (Adlington), Milbanke (Kirkham), Thornton House (Thornton Cleveleys) and Woodlands (Clayton-le-Moors) – have a combined capacity to accommodate 229 people, roughly 45 at each location.
The day centres whose future remains in doubt – Byron View (Colne, attached to Favordale), Derby Centre (Ormskirk), Milbanke Day Centre (Kirkham, attached to Milbanke care home), Teal Close, (Thornton Cleveleys, attached to Thornton House) and Vale View (Lancaster) – provide support to older people during daytime hours, including those in the early stages of dementia.
Support Blog Preston: Keep our community reporting going and view the website without any adverts too. Sign up for a membership today.
Stay updated: Keep in touch directly with the latest headlines from Blog Preston, join our WhatsApp channel and subscribe for our twice-a-week email newsletter. Both free and direct to your phone and inbox. Help us report too, by contacting us if you see something we should be reporting on.
Read more: See the latest Preston news and headlines
