Wolverhampton care home residents won't be forced out

Pennfields Court and Bushbury Court have been deemed not up to scratch by bosses at Wolverhampton Clinical Commissioning Group (WCCG).

The homes, which have 25 residents and 40 staff between them, are due to close in October. Some people have already moved on to new homes and new jobs.

But care home bosses today insisted they will continue to provide the 'highest standards of care' while the sites remain open and they will not close until all the residents have been safely moved.

Sara Woodall, chief executive at Heantun Housing Association, said: "All of the residents within Bushbury and Pennfields nursing homes have now had a comprehensive assessment of their needs and in the majority of cases, care homes have been chosen by family members.

"A number of residents have now moved and are settling into their new homes, whilst those remaining will move once a vacancy become available. Until every resident has been safely moved and settled into their new home, the nursing homes will not close.

"To mirror the movement in residents, some staff at the homes have begun to leave or move to other jobs. We are carefully planning the leaving dates of staff to ensure we continue to provide the highest standards of care."

The CCG said the homes had to close because they had 'some outdated facilities' with regards to dementia care.

Families and carers have been consulted over finding alternative homes for residents within the city, while staff have been offered advice and guidance and where possible, alternative employment within the wider Accord Group.

The closures comes as a consultation is ongoing on the future of two other care homes in the city.

Wolverhampton council wants to close Merry Hill House and Nelson Mandela House and have their services picked up by outside providers.

At the moment, Merry Hill House in Langley Road, Merry Hill, and Nelson Mandela House in Whitburn Close, Pendeford, have 10 long-term residents but do also accommodate short respite stays.

At capacity, the homes could look after 72 people.

People can have their say about the proposals in an online survey at www.wolverhampton.gov.uk/olderpeoplesservices

Consultation events for members of the public are also being held at the Civic Centre on September 28 from 10.30am, and October 13 from 5.30pm.

Almost 140 people have signed a petition calling on council bosses to rethink the plans.

The council controversially closed Underhill House in 2010, resulting in elderly residents including 106-year-old Louisa Watts being moved in freezing temperatures.