Care home closure plans slammed by union bosses

UNION bosses have criticised attempts to give older people more choice for their care, claiming it will have the opposite effect.
Lincolnshire County Council revealed further details yesterday of proposals to shut five care homes by September and a further three at an unknown date after March next year.

The authority says it hopes to save £3.3 million a year by closing the eight buildings, while also offering individuals more flexibility in deciding how they are cared for.
A final decision will be made by the Conservative executive on Tuesday, July 5.
Redundancy consultation letters have already been sent to an estimated 300 staff members, who are already participating in industrial action.
Government plans to provide people with budgets to spend on services, rather than giving the cash to local authorities, have prompted the changes.
But concerns have been expressed that existing day care centres and services will struggle as more private companies compete for older people's cash.
Park View in Lincoln, Boston's Ingelow Manor, Crowtree House in Louth, The Cedars in Gainsborough, and Spalding's Halmer Grange are facing closure in September.
Linelands in Nettleham, Bonner House in Sleaford, and Harrison House in Grantham, have been spared the axe in the short-term.
Lincolnshire Unison branch secretary, John Sharman, said: "In relation to the three homes staying open, we were told three weeks ago that they were going to close possibly in December, maybe by March, and originally it was said they could be kept open two to three years.
"But the new proposal says it could be any time after March 31. Talk about putting people in limbo.
"People who use these homes are in a state of anxiety and uncertainty.
"It think it's disgraceful the way these people are being treated – both our members who work there and the people who use the service."
The county council says it is making the changes as it believes the independent sector can fill the gap and provide older people with what they need.
Officials added it would like to see staff who lose their jobs opting to make use of their skills and start their own businesses.
But Mr Sharman said: "Here is a document that is all about giving service users choice, but what it's done is taking choice away.
"The council had two consultation exercises over the last year and all the research they did came up with the same answer – they wanted to retain the choice of using the existing homes."
Peter Duxbury, director of adult social care for the council, said: "It's not about the closure of eight homes but more importantly how we provide services to roughly 210 people every week who receive respite or day care."
Mr Duxbury said greater choice in spending could allow individuals to select the best options to suit their needs, such as enjoying a holiday while recovering.
He added advice on how personal budgets work will be offered by the authority.
Mr Duxbury said: "It's about developing a variety of providers and more choice as every individual has slightly different needs.
"It's about us enforcing and shaping the market. We would be keen to support services in an area that, left to the market, will not develop."
Tory Councillor Ron Oxby said people had tried to use "scaremongering tactics" but said he was hoping for a nice transition to the new system.
He said: "One of the biggest things out there is the fear of what is happening."
Independent Councillor Marianne Overton, and opposition leader, said the campaign to save the homes had partially worked.
But she said she was worried about whether personal budgets would provide people with enough money.
Source thisislincolnshire