Care home will close despite huge number of objections

A care home in Aberystwyth will close despite huge objections from both residents and politicians.

The Bodlondeb care home will close after Ceredigion council’s cabinet voted meaning its 13 residents will have to find other accommodation.

Relatives of residents at the care home said in September that family members face moving away for the first time in their lives if the site, which has been open since the 1950s, was to close.

A previous council report said that a petition with almost 3,400 signatures was received in September against the closure without an appropriate replacement.

Catherine Hughes, cabinet member responsible for social services, said: “The decision to close Bodlondeb was a difficult one to make; I’m very aware that the home has served older residents of the county and their families well for decades.

“The demand and needs of older people are changing with people opting for care in their own homes.

“This decision allows the council to use resources effectively to ensure the best possible quality of care for our older residents.”

The council said the proposal to close the home is the third option considered after attempts to find a private provider that could provide dementia nursing care and attempts to establish an “integrated mental health facility” in Bodlondeb proved unfeasible.

The decision comes after the council launched a 12-week public consultation on July 3 on the proposals to close the home.

Ceredigion People’s Assembly thanked all who were part of the campaign to keep Bodlondeb open and said they will try to get a full council decision on the matter. A Ceredigion People’s Assembly representatives said: “Despite the community’s strong campaigning, Ceredigion council has favoured austerity again today.

“Our concern reaches further than Bodlondeb care home – this is just one example of cuts to services.

“The council insists that the answer is austerity, without looking at alternative ways to make ends meet and have taken the easy way out today by cutting provision for the most vulnerable.

“We are looking at the possibility of taking the decision to a full council meeting, and that other Ceredigion councillors will not want to deprive the residents of Ceredigion further.”

The cabinet discussed the recommendation made by the Council’s Healthier Communities Scrutiny and Overview Committee to close the home by 31 March 2018.

A report based on the consultation responses was discussed by the Cabinet prior to making a decision.