Talks on care home closures
Consultation has begun with residents of care homes set to be closed by a Staffordshire council under its controversial Changing Lives policy.
The £50,000 consultation by Agencia will involve talking to staff and the 396 residents at the care homes about their feelings on three options.
These are: to maintain the status quo, to close some of the homes, or to close all of them. Meetings have already been held at Silverdene and Bilbrook House in South Staffordshire and Greenwood House in Lichfield.
Staffordshire County Council has already made a "financial and political" decision to go ahead with closure, but promised to consult before moving forward with the plans.
According to cabinet member with responsibility for care of the elderly, councillor Susan Woodward, keeping the care homes would add £100 to the council tax bill of every household in the county.
Documents outlining the process have already been sent to all of the care homes' residents and their families, and the 982 full and part time staff who will be affected by the closures.
The council also clearly states in the literature that its preferred option is number three – the total closure of all the homes.
Despite criticism for taking on independent consultants the council said it is vital that the process is carried out independently – so here are no accusations that the findings are biased.
The authority has also stressed the exercise is "a consultation and not a referendum" and there is no 'voting' system as to whether the homes will stay open or close.
The council will receive a detailed report from the consultants between July and August, after which it will make its final decision.
Staffordshire County Council will consult on the future of the county's day centres in the autumn.
Consultation meeting dates
Care homes:
Wednesday, June 6, The Laurels, Stafford.
Friday, June 8, Roseneath, Stone.
Tuesday, June 12, Ravenhill, Cannock.
Tuesday, June 26, Foxwalls, Stafford.
Wednesday, June 27, Nearfield House, Lichfield.
Thursday, June 28, Bracken House, Lichfield.
Wednesday, July 11, Langbourn, Cannock.
Homes for the disabled:
Tuesday, June 5, Scotch Orchard, Lichfield.
Wednesday, June 6, Cooperative Street, Stafford.
Thursday, June 7, Glebelands Court, Stafford.
Tuesday, June 12, Brunswick House, Cannock.
Wednesday, June 13, Brookside in South Staffordshire.
Thursday, June 14, Hawthorn House, Lichfield.
