Volunteers fight home closure plan
VOLUNTEERS and councillors have voiced their anger and concern over proposals to close an ‘iconic’ care home for the elderly.
A consultation has been launched over the future of Oak Hill Park Mansion in Accrington by owners Abbeyfield after charity bosses said it was ‘not sustainable in the long-term’.
The Grade II listed building was famously bought for just £1 in 1993 by the Abbeyfield Hyndburn Society after falling into a state of disrepair.
It was leased from Hyndburn Council on the condition that it provided a home for 12 elderly residents and a housekeeper.
The ‘luxury’ care home opened in April 1994 following an £800,000 transformation and the hard work of trustees and volunteers.
Shirley Hodson, who is a long-standing member of the Abbeyfield Hyndburn Volunteer Committee, said the proposals to now close the care home are ‘disgraceful’.
She told the Observer: “There was a meeting held at Oak Hill Mansion to tell the staff and residents. The volunteer committee were neither advised nor invited to these meetings.
“I think it is just dreadful. Old people are being turned out. Two have already left because they are frightened they won’t get in anywhere.
“One lady is 96. She had been there 22 years and had to find somewhere different.
“That place was handed over to them and when they took it over they said it was a jewel in their crown. It’s a lovely place and the situation could not be better.”
Hyndburn council leader Miles Parkinson said he has written to Abbeyfield expressing concern for the residents and the future of the building and expects any decision to be reviewed by the overview and scrutiny committee.
He said: “I have written to the charity with my concerns regarding the future welfare of the residents and also highlighting the covenant on the iconic building and that the council wish to be fully engaged with whatever proposals come forward.
“First and foremost our concern is with the welfare of the residents in the home.
“Once we have more detailed proposals I would expect it to go to overview and scrutiny for it to be looked at. Legally we will be going through all the covenants and the leases and how it was transferred at the time.
“We all remember how dilapidated the building was and also remember the hard work of the many trustees who brought this to fruition.”
Oak Hill Park Mansion is one of 22 Abbeyfield care homes across the UK at risk of closure.
Charity bosses said the proposals are ‘not driven by profit making’ and they will ‘look carefully at all the comments from residents, relatives and staff before making a final decision’.
A spokesperson said: “Following an in-depth review, we have decided that despite doing our best to maintain the home, it’s size and design mean that in the near future it is unlikely to meet the high standards residents and regulators expect, and that we pride ourselves on delivering.
“Having considered all options available to us, we have made the very difficult decision to open discussions with residents and colleagues about our proposal to close the home.
“These discussions will run until November, after which a final decision on the future of the home will be made.
“No resident or staff member will be asked to leave the home until the beginning of 2020 at the earliest.
“A dedicated support team is already in place to support the discussion process and we have opened a dedicated information and support phone line for everyone who is affected.
“Should our proposal to close the home move forward, we will do everything we can to support residents to find a suitable new care home nearby.”