Decisions made on the future of KCC care homes

13 January 2011

Future demand, current needs, quality care, modern buildings and spending public money wisely all played a part as decisions were made about KCC care homes today.

Each of the 11 homes was considered separately as KCC Cabinet member for Kent Adult Social Services, Graham Gibbens, decided on the right way forward.

The choices Mr Gibbens has made are still subject to a scrutiny process and cannot be implemented until 24 January at the earliest.

A lengthy consultation began on 21 June last year and ended on 1 November. It was followed by the publication of detailed reports about each of the homes involved.

Yesterday, the recommendations made by officers were debated by county councillors during a meeting of the Adult Social Services Policy Overview and Scrutiny Committee. The committee recommended that Mr Gibbens weigh up the strength of feeling among campaigners and carefully considered technical issues about the recommendations.

On Monday (10 January), the council’s Cabinet had also considered and endorsed the recommendations.

Earlier today, Mr Gibbens decided that:

• The Limes at Dartford, Sampson Court at Deal and Ladesfield at Whitstable will close, with services being provided by private and voluntary sector organisations. This includes residential care, respite care and day care services.
  
• Wayfarers at Sandwich will be sold as a going concern.
  
• Services provided at Blackburn Lodge at Sheerness, Doubleday Lodge at Sittingbourne and Kiln Court at Faversham will be run through a partnership arrangement with an independent sector provider. This will lead to more and modernised services being provided across Swale.
  
• Bowles Lodge at Hawkhurst, Cornfields at Dover and Manorbrooke at Dartford will be closed and the sites will be used for extra care housing schemes, built in partnership with district councils. The three new schemes will be part of a county-wide scheme bringing 300 new homes in a £70million investment through a private finance initiative.
  
• The Dorothy Lucy Centre at Maidstone will be kept as it is for future consideration.

Mr Gibbens has guaranteed that where homes are closing, all those using services now will be provided for before any of the homes close their doors.

KCC Cabinet member for Kent Adult Social Services, Graham Gibbens, said: “This process has always been about people – about the way older people are cared for both now and into the future.

“Before we started, we knew that we had to plan for the future. We know that a demographic change is underway and that in the years to come more over 65s, more over 85s and more people with dementia will need care. There is a big challenge ahead of us.

“I am acutely aware that the proposals, consultation and decision have brought uncertainty and, along with officers, I am determined to provide as much reassurance as possible.

“Clearly, there will be people who are unhappy that the decisions don’t reflect their views. The key issue for me, however, has been the need to balance today’s needs with the demands of the future. The consultation was important and useful – and I have listened carefully and thoroughly to the voices of people who did not agree with the original proposals, as well as those who do.

“I have listened to objections that have in many cases been well thought through and well argued. In making my decision, I have had to make a judgement about whether these objections are strong enough to challenge the reasoning behind the original proposals. I believe that the twin challenges of the present and the future are best met by going ahead with the recommendations.

“I would like to thank all of those who have taken part in the process, from those who have presented petitions at county council meetings to those who have written letters and emails. I would also like to thank the officers who have brought decades of experience and professional expertise.”