55 jobs at risk as care home faces closure

Consultation held to decide the future of care home

A Scarborough care home faces closure as up to 55 staff members could lose their jobs.

Staff at 101 Prospect Mount Road care home were told last month that the facility which cares for elderly and vulnerable residents faces closure.

A consultation has been launched and a decision will be made in the new year.

The residential care facility, owned by North Yorkshire County Council, currently cares for around 30 residents providing short stay and respite care, as well as facilities for people suffering from dementia and there is access to a few long-stay beds.

But the council says the facility, which was built in 1970, is “no longer fit for purpose to deliver the required standards of care facilities that people expect today and it no longer meets the council’s vision of promoting independence and choice.”

A consultation with residents, relatives and people who receive services began on October 16 and will run until January 8.

A spokesperson for the council said: “The standard of care at the facility is not in question and has been rated good by the Care Quality Commission, but it is in the poorest condition of the county’s in-house remaining residential provision.

“As such, it is not possible to provide greater independence and choice for users and is not fit for purpose to deliver the required standards of care in the future.”

The county council’s Care and Support Where I Live Strategy sets out ambitions for the future care and support of older and vulnerable adults in North Yorkshire.

This includes the development of local accommodation, services and activities that enable people to be safe and live independently at home for as long as possible, particularly through increasing the number of extra care housing schemes.

The council say that there are three extra care schemes in Scarborough, with another due to start on site in January 2018, so the need for extra care housing in Scarborough is currently being met.

Scarborough resident shave now voiced their objection to the plans.

Mel Wilson said: “My friend is in 101 and whenever I visit the place it is clean, doesn’t smell, staff are friendly.

“Some of the private care homes want ‘consultations’ and improvements before 101. The staff will be snapped up I’m sure if necessary.”

Carey Bilton said: “They blame our elderly for clogging up hospital beds but then plan to close the one option they may have to relieve our NHS hospital and aid recovery and the journey back home.

“Both of my Nannas have had to use this facility freeing up a hospital bed but not yet ready/able to go home. Close this and the hospital bed crisis will inevitably worsen.”

Another resident added: “I’m absolutely completely shocked that when I’m out walking my dogs that so many people I speak to who have family members that use the service have not been told about the closure.”

The council says if the outcome of the consultation is to close the facility that services provided would be absorbed through existing and developing provision in the area.

A council spokesperson added: “Staff currently working at 101 Prospect Mount Road would be given support to secure alternative employment.”

“Whenever I visit the place it is clean, doesn’t smell, staff are friendly”