Council confirms plan to sell dementia care homes

Councillors have confirmed their intention to sell off two care homes to private providers as part of efforts to save money.

Kirklees Council said it was in talks with five companies over the future operation of Castle Grange, in Huddersfield, and Claremont House in Heckmondwike.

The Labour-run authority said it hoped to complete the transfer by April 2025.

Campaigners opposing the move said they were "extremely concerned" with the plan, with fears around the wellbeing of residents and a potential increase in fees.

Sisters Donna Mallinson and Collete Senior, whose mum, Elaine Blackburn, is a resident at Claremont House, have been fighting to keep the homes open for more than a year.

Following the council's latest deicison, Ms Mallinson said she was "extremely disappointed, disheartened, sad and very worried about our mum's future".

She said: "[The council] can't confirm the continuation of care with the new private owner and can't confirm that the fees will stay the same.

"Those two things together could be life threatening to the residents as they are potentially forcing a move on the residents if they can't afford the new fees."

Sarah Blagborough, whose mum, Janet, is a resident at Castle Grange said that when the authority announced in February they would not close the two homes she thought it was the start of a "relationship with Kirklees Council to make them viable, to keep them open and protect vulnerable residents".

She said she feared the council would not find an operator capable of providing care comparable to the service her mum is receiving now, saying it had left her in "a desperate situation".

Despite the decision campaigners say they will continue to fight to keep the two homes under council control.

Concerns have also been raised about the future of the staff at both care homes.

Angela Waller, from Unison, said the thought of working for a private provider was "filling the staff with dread" as they were "worried about their pensions and terms and conditions".

Beverley Addy, cabinet member for Adult Social Care and Health said "We know families of the residents in our care homes are understandably worried at this time of change.

"As part of a previous consultation and the recent engagement exercise, we have continuously highlighted to residents that, should a transfer of ownership occur, residents will be able to remain in the homes where they live. This will allow continuity of care which is what families are most concerned about.

"Now, we will progress talks with interested providers to try to reach a final decision on a transfer.

"And, as before, we have provided reassurances to families that discussions are only taking place with those providers who are interested in keeping both establishments as dementia care homes."

The council said that if a suitable operator is not found, the issue would return to cabinet for further discussion.

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