Families fighting to save two council-run dementia care homes say Kirklees Council is thinking purely about money and not people’s lives.

The families say an impact report produced by Kirklees Council for Kirklees Council is biased and ignores the needs of vulnerable residents.

The council wants to transfer Castle Grange in Newsome and Claremont House in Heckmondwike to a private sector operator by April 2025 to save up to £1.8 million a year.

But families of the 45 residents say the council is seeking no guarantees over care contracts nor would they block an increase in fees.

The families fear for the well-being of their loved ones and say any upheaval or potential move could put lives at risk.

Families also claim the council hasn’t addressed the “elephant in the room” – likely extra costs, known as a ‘3rd party top up requirement.’

While Kirklees will contribute towards fees for residents who can’t afford the full amount, there will still be a shortfall that families would have to pay, of anything between £100 a week and £400 a week.

 

 

Donna Mallinson, speaking on behalf of the families, said the Integrated Impact Assessment produced by the council, for the council, was “clearly biased” in favour of selling the homes. It was like the council marking its own homework.

She said: “The impact assessment isn’t, in any way, a true reflection of the impact selling the homes will have on the residents.

“It concentrates on the alleged financial positives for Kirklees Council and doesn’t cover the important negative effects on the vulnerable residents.”

While the homes would be sold as “going concerns”, Donna said there would no current care contracts in place and a new owner could immediately raise fees.

Unless conditions were imposed, the council could not ensure continuity of care to residents as they promised.

“In fact,” she added. “They are forcing a potential move on the residents if they cannot meet the new fees, or if the new provider cannot meet their care needs.

“As we know, this could have life threatening consequences for someone with advanced dementia and/or other complex care needs.

“It’s not only incorrect for Kirklees to keep saying that residents won’t have to move, it also proves how much many of the people at Kirklees involved know about the care system.”

 

Hello, my name is Janet. I have Alzheimer’s disease and I’m scared what will happen to me if Kirklees Council sell my home

Donna said while there had been consultation with families it was merely a “tick box exercise” and they were also concerned that the council wouldn’t reveal the names of any of the five companies interested in taking on the homes.

“The report states that families’ assurances on a range of issues have been factored into the due diligence process, but how can we fully raise our concerns about the new provider if we don’t know who they are?” she said.

The council will not disclose the names of the interested companies due to commercial confidentiality.

Families didn’t like the tone and choice of words in the council report and impact assessment.

Donna described them as “upsetting and dismissive”, demonstrating a lack of sensitivity.

“The use of the word ‘disposal’ is offensive,” she said. “These homes and the residents are not for disposal!”

At a meeting on Tuesday December 10, the council’s Cabinet will be asked to allow officers to enter detailed negotiations with potential new operators and evaluate their bids on “price and quality.”

The council says it’s not certain that any deal will eventually go ahead, however the transfer of the two homes – and the savings involved – have already been factored into the council’s draft budget for 2025-26 which is on the agenda at the same meeting.

The council must save £29.3 million in the next financial year and has warned that up to 100 redundancies could be needed to balance the books. Read more about that HERE.

Donna added: “We are still fighting to keep these two amazing and extremely necessary homes open and under the control of Kirklees and we will continue to do so, because unlike Kirklees, we believe that sufferers of advanced dementia now, and in the future, deserve to be cared for properly and respectfully.”

 

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