As calls of “shame” were shouted by members of the public and the state of Kirklees’ democracy was questioned by councillors, Cabinet has agreed to move forward with the privatisation of Kirklees Council’s dementia care homes.
A meeting of Kirklees Council’s Cabinet on 8 October had a high turnout with campaigners fighting to save the homes of their loved ones among those in attendance.
The matter of the future of the borough’s council-run dementia care homes has rumbled on, since the council had previously earmarked Claremont House at Heckmondwike and Castle Grange at Newsome for closure last year in a bid to remedy its difficult financial position.
This was met with masses of objection and prompted the formation of a campaign group, consisting of families whose loved ones reside in the two homes. Ultimately, under pressure, the council was forced to back down but it was agreed in March that the council could explore the possibility of selling off the sites.
Now, the plans to sell are gathering pace, with Cabinet agreeing today that negotiations with potential providers could progress to the point of being able to enter into a contract with an alternative provider, with three operators currently interested. The matter will then be brought back to Cabinet for a final decision.
Introducing the item at the meeting, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health said: “Although in the current financial climate we find ourselves in a position where this difficult decision has had to be taken, please be assured that we are still listening. We still want the best possible homes for your loved ones and we will be moving forward with the utmost care to find the right alternative for the future.”
However, elected members from across the political spectrum expressed their strong opposition to the plans, raising a number of issues.
Councillor Jo Lawson said, “I worry about maintaining standards of care for the vulnerable residents who call Castle Grange and Claremont home when this ‘business’ is transferred into the private sector and needs to make a profit. Those with more complex needs are going to need more care, but will the new business model allow for this?”
Councillor Andrew Cooper said, “I think the best way forward is the certainty and stability of staying in their own home [residents]…the real concern is of course that the private sector, with the profit motive that it has, will not provide the best care – it will be seeking to drive down wages and there is a correlation between wages and the quality of care that is provided.”
Councillor Mus Khan was also critical of the plan, describing the strategy as “extremely high risk”. The councillor wanted to speak on the item for a second time, but Leader of the Council, Cllr Carole Pattison, declined this.
Councillor Khan responded, “You’ve got 23 councillors, you’re a minority administration, never mind about consultation but you’re not even allowing us an adequate voice in here. This is the only place we have a voice. You’re undermining democracy by closing us down.”
Some other members felt similarly, with Councillor Cathy Scott, adding later in the meeting: “Democracy isn’t prevailing because we’re being suppressed”. But leader of the council, Cllr Carole Pattison, disputed this.
Following the meeting Cllr Addy commented, “We listened to the feedback from families of residents who were understandably worried about the impact that proposals to close the homes, and the subsequent need to move, would have on the wellbeing of their loved ones. We took this onboard and invested in looking to find an independent sector operator to keep them open.”
“I would like to reassure everyone that we are only speaking with providers who would like to continue operating both sites as dementia care homes. This will allow continuity of care for residents as they will not be required to move out of the homes.
“Our residents deserve the highest quality of care, and we will endeavour to make sure any new owners meet our high standards. A change of care home ownership is not uncommon in the social care market, and we have seen this happen for a variety of reasons. The families of residents and our staff will once again be consulted during this process.
“Withdrawing from dementia residential care would mean the council could focus direct care delivery in parts of the market where there are fewer providers and options for people. This would mean making the best use of the care home bed capacity across Kirklees and therefore supporting the council’s aim to enable people to remain independent at home for as long as possible.”
“Like other councils across the country, we are faced with increasing demands for adult social care meaning we must look at how we can make the best of the limited resources available to us.”
