Councillors have agreed to transfer the Council’s two dementia residential care homes to the independent sector should suitable provider(s) be identified.
Options available
At a cabinet meeting yesterday (10 Dec), councillors were presented with a range of options on the future of Claremont House in Heckmondwike and Castle Grange in Newsome. These included continuing to run the homes as they are; transfer both care homes to a third party provider as going concern(s); or close the care homes in accordance with best practice guidance. Councillors were also presented with the outcomes of the engagement process with service user families who had shared their views on the transfer proposal.
Transfer and talks with providers
The option to transfer the homes was approved and officers will now progress talks with the five interested providers to a best and final offer stage after which a suitable provider will be selected to take over the running of the homes. The expectation is to reach a transfer agreement in January 2025 with a full transfer by April. Further discussions at cabinet will take place should negotiations not result in a suitable provider being identified.
Focussing on complex dementia needs
The council has long maintained that it would like to focus its resources on areas of the care market where there are fewer providers hence the investment in day care facilities for people with complex dementia needs. The completion of Knowl Park House was announced last month, and the facilities are now being used.
Councillor Beverley Addy, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health said:
“We know families of the residents in our care homes are understandably worried at this time of change.
“As part of a previous consultation and the recent engagement exercise, we have continuously highlighted to residents that, should a transfer of ownership occur, residents will be able to remain in the homes where they live. This will allow continuity of care which is what families are most concerned about.
“Now, we will progress talks with interested providers to try to reach a final decision on a transfer. And, as before, we have provided reassurances to families that discussions are only taking place with those providers who are interested in keeping both establishments as dementia care homes.
“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. This means identifying a good quality, experienced provider to take over the running of our two dementia residential homes.”