Derbyshire County Council to reopen debate on potential closure of New Mills care home
Derbyshire County Council is to debate the future of a New Mills care home next week, as it considers options for a £30million list of repairs it says would cause significant disruption to residents.
The 30-bed Goyt Valley House, on Jubilee Street, is one of seven facilities included in a report to be examined by the cabinet at a meeting on Thursday, November 18.
It recommends councillors approve a second public consultation on the future of the homes, including the possibility of closure, following a similar exercise in early 2020 when the council decided to keep them open.
Councillor Natalie Hoy, cabinet member for adult social care, said: "We have to review all options to ensure that older people live in buildings which are safe, fit for purpose and meet all the required standards for the best possible care.
The potential closure of Goyt Valley House sparked significant protests in 2020.
"I understand this will be unsettling but no decisions about the future of these homes would be made until we'd heard from our residents, their families, staff and our partners, and taken their views in to account."
There are currently 68 long term residents across the seven homes, supported by 240 staff.
Work required includes replacing boilers, heating systems, refitting all kitchens and bathrooms, roofing works, installing sprinkler systems, and an invasive rewire in each home to be carried out by September 2022.
The potential consultation would offer options to carry out the work, or to close the homes and help residents find alternative accommodation.
Coun Hoy said: "Even if repairs were carried out to these seven homes, these buildings are no longer fit for purpose. It is necessary to consult again as residents could have to move out for a period of up to 40 weeks and staff be re-deployed.
"I'd like to reassure everyone that we would keep an open mind. If any other options were put forward during the consultation for a viable future for these homes then we would of course give these full consideration."
The report also notes slowing demand for care home places with people choosing to stay in their own homes for longer, though arriving in residential care later with more complex needs.
To read the full report, go to https://bit.ly/3qqinlB.
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