7th November 2006

Only 6 in consultation meeting in the Sub Rooms - Wyatt House set to close (pictured)

Gloucestershire County Council have surveyed the views of residents and relatives from the 21 council run care homes. They currently have a consultation process open until 19th December as they plan changes to their approach and management. In Stroud proposals were presented today in the Sub Rooms by a panel of County Officers, consultants and representatives of the charity and housing association that will be taking over the care for older people in the council-run homes(i).

Cllr Philip Booth, the only District councillor present at the meeting, said: "Sadly only 5 other members of the public came to the meeting to hear the proposals. This maybe because staff and residents have had a chance to make their views known, but I know some local residents are worried by the changes. In particular Wyatt House, in Paganhill, is set to close and move elsewhere. This will be a sad loss - but the proposed new buildings look set to be a considerable improvement - and there will be no staff losses. Indeed the plan is to transfer staff with residents to reduce the trauma of the move and apparently both staff and residents are in favour of move."

Philip Booth, a former social worker for older people, said: "While the County approach looks set to improve matters I am still very concerned by the lack of care for certain groups of older people. It is absolutely wrong that Weavers Croft is threatened with closure by the health authority - and even more wrong if it closes before care home facilities are developed locally. The Secretary of State must see sense and reject plans for closing Weavers and the County must prioritise development of Wyatt House's replacement."

Philip Booth added: "Another key issue is that more older people are choosing to live in the community. The County proposals allow for this and continue to improve support for those living at home - but the reality is that many carers are left in dire situations, struggling to cope. Only last month the BBC reported that older people who provide care for family members are being denied essential support by social services. We urgently need to improve the basic, practical support to help people continue providing care."

Philip Booth said: "Lastly care homes are high energy users so I was pleased that the intention is to make the new buildings to high sustainability standards. This will in the long term save significant sums of money."

To join the consultation process phone 01482649939 or email info@agcltd.com



Notes:

(i) The proposals include:
-  the closure of Wyatt House in Matthews Way, Paganhill and it's replacement by a new 40 bed specialist EMI care home on a new site in Stroud/Stonehouse.
- expansion of The Elms site to enable the development of a new care home providing 20 residential care places, 40 nursing care beds and a 20-bed intermediate facility. This would enable the home to accomodate residents of Southfield House.
- no changes to Henlow Court.

(ii) See BBC report:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/6037768.stm