Care homes to be taken over by private companies

Private companies are set to take over care provision at two council-owned homes in a cost saving exercise.

West Berkshire Council wants to move Willows Edge and Birchwood care homes, both in Newbury, off its books.

It said the homes were currently operating "well above budget" due to high agency staff levels and costs.

More than 1,000 people previously signed a petition opposing any move to close or sell Willows Edge.

The local authority said a "well experienced, external provider" could operate the homes at "market cost", which would result in a saving for the council.

A final decision on which company gets the keys to each home will be made next week, following a private tendering process.

The council was not able to include Notrees Care Home, in Kintbury, in the tender.

Willows Edge and Birchwood have a combined maximum occupancy of 97 beds and a mixture of residential, nursing and dementia residents.

It is the responsibility of the council’s adult social care department to ensure that there is significant market capacity to provide services within a residential care setting.

Following the closure of two care homes in the district, bed capacity has declined by around 7% since 2023, at a time when demand has increased.

A new care home is currently being built in West Berkshire and plans for four additional homes have been submitted to the authority but would be unlikely to open before 2029.

You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.