Wolverhampton care homes to shut with 40 jobs at risk
Two dementia care homes are to close down in Wolverhampton, leaving 25 residents in limbo and up to 40 jobs hanging in the balance.
Pennfields Court and Bushbury Court have been deemed 'no longer fit for purpose' by bosses at Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG). Both will close in October. But the move has sparked fury among relatives for those being cared for, who say vulnerable residents have been left devastated at the prospect of being forced out of their homes.
Tim Jennings, whose 92-year-old mother has lived at Bushbury Court for almost eight years, described the decision as 'horrendous' and accused WCCG of failing to take residents' feelings into account.
"It is outrageous that they are moving vulnerable people from a place where they feel comfortable," he said.
"My mother suffers from Alzheimer's. She is comfortable there and the staff are used to her quirks.
"Moving to another home will cause her a great deal of distress and heartache," he added.
Mr Jennings said there were 'tears and hugs' among staff and residents when bosses at WCCC announced the closures at a meeting earlier this week.
WCCG says it has no choice but to shut down the homes as they no longer meet the required quality standards.
"They are saying that all rooms need to have en-suite facilities," Mr Jennings added.
"My mother is doubly incontinent and requires constant support.
"An en-suite bathroom is not what she needs."
WCCG chief officer Dr Helen Hibbs said: the homes had to close because they had 'some outdated facilities' with regards to dementia care.
"This is part of our commitment to providing a better environment for those living with dementia," she added.
"We understand the upheaval that this could cause, which is why we are committed to working closely with each family and carer to find the best home for them," Ms Hibbs added.
Families and carers are being consulted over finding alternative homes for residents within the city.
Staff that are affected will be offered advice and guidance and, where possible, alternative employment within the wider Accord Group.
Sara Woodall, chief executive for Heantun Housing Association, said: "Our priorities are the well-being of the residents and staff affected by this change.
"Every resident and their family will have the support of a social worker in assessing the best home to move to.
"We'll be doing everything in our power to minimise the impact of the move – for example by supporting residents to take familiar furnishings with them and protecting existing friendship groups wherever possible," Ms Woodall added.