Consultation to begin on closure of two care homes
GoogleA council is to begin a consultation on the possible closure of two care homes.
Westmorland and Furness Council in Cumbria says it wants to keep all options open on the future of Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere and Grisedale Croft in Alston but those include shutting them both.
A report described the former as "obsolete", with "longstanding recruitment challenges, high agency reliance and an inability to meet modern regulatory standards".
A council spokesperson said: "We recognise the strength of feeling and understand that this is an important and sensitive issue for residents, families, staff and the wider community."
The council's cabinet committee voted on 21 April to also consider doing nothing in regards to the homes, or refurbishing or rebuilding them.
It plans to begin a formal 12-week consultation beginning "mid-May".
A statement on the future of the two homes said it had "carefully considered all feedback and comments received to date", but it would encourage people to also take part in the formal consultations.
It added: "The council said its priority is the wellbeing of residents and the continued support of staff throughout the process."
A report previously seen by the Local Democracy Reporting Service regarding Applethwaite Green said it had some of the highest costs of all care homes run by the authority making it "financially unsustainable".
