Derbyshire care homes closures plan takes step forward

Plans to shut care homes and day centres for people with dementia will be considered by a council.

Cabinet members on Derbyshire County Council voted to move forward with a 12-week consultation on the plans.

A total of 11 council-run care homes and eight day centres are at risk across the county.

Natalie Hoy, cabinet member for adult care, told the BBC: "We're seeing a decline in people going into residential care."

Other consultations will look at children's centres and sites that offer day placements and respite breaks for adults and children with learning disabilities.

Trade union Unison said cuts to council budgets will amount to about £32m over the next 12 months - mainly focused on social care.

A number of protesters gathered outside County Hall in Matlock to voice their opposition to the plans.

Councillor Joan Dixon, the Labour group opposition leader on the council, said it was a "really black day for Derbyshire County Council".

"This will have a huge impact for some of our most vulnerable and elderly people... these are high quality services - it's a false economy and it will only add more pressure," she said.

Ms Hoy said the increasing number of people needing dementia care means the council needs to offer more "specialist services".

"Doing nothing is not an option at this time, we're seeing a decline in people going into residential care, they are staying at home for longer," she said.

"So when they do need our services, they're frailer and have more complex needs, with dementia being high up on the list. This is something we need to address."

Concerns from those opposed to the plans questioned whether there is enough capacity in the private sector to pick up the people who may find themselves without a care home or centre.

But Ms Hoy said there is "substantial availability throughout Derbyshire".

On the state of the council's finances, which show a £35m budget deficit, Ms Hoy added: "These [proposals] are down to factors outside of our control.

"We've been a very well run council but sadly, these [external] factors have forced us to make some of these decisions."

The council has said they will ensure - "within reason" - that people "do not incur any additional costs" if they have to move to a new provider.

The consultation, which offers two proposals, is due to begin on 15 May and will close on 7 August.

The care homes under threat are:

The day centres at risk of closure are:

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