Newbury care home closure plan criticised
Its part of a package of savings West Berkshire council is proposing
West Berkshire Council’s pledge to support vulnerable people has been criticised – as it plans to close a care home for dementia patients to save money.
A petition has now been launched after the announcement that the council run Willow Edge home in Newbury for up to 38 dementia patients must either close or be run by another organisation.
There are now more than a thousand signatures on that petition.
But the council wants to save £240k and not be faced with costs of upgrading the facility.
The move is part of a range of cuts and cost ‘restructuring’ the council has announced to plug the £10m gap in its budget.
Jean O Reilly, whose mother is in the home, said:
“My mother, a 93-year-old resident at Willows Edge Care Home, suffers from dementia and vascular dementia,
“She has found comfort and trust in her carers at this facility. The proposed closure of this home would not only disrupt her life but also those of many other vulnerable residents who have made Willows Edge their home.
“The potential closure would cause significant distress to them and their families. It is not just about moving locations – it’s about uprooting lives, breaking trust, losing friends, and starting over again in an unfamiliar environment.”
Willows Edge Care Home, is one of three local authority care homes run by West Berkshire Council.
The families of residents at Willows Edge claim the other two homes are already at full occupancy, so there are no other places that the residents can be moved to within the area.
Council leader Lee Dillon said:
“We would look to place these people in other care homes in the district,” he said. “It works out at £400 per week per person less for us to do this.”
The matter is due for discussion at Thursday’s executive committee meeting along with other cuts and charging changes which could see adult social care transport costs being loaded on to the individuals using it.
The council is also proposing a ‘restructure’ of adult social care costs, but is yet to provide details of those changes.