Simon Danczuk urges charity to do more to keep Honresfeld Disability Care Home open

Simon Danczuk meets resident Steven Parkhill during a visit to Honresfeld Leonard Cheshire Care Home in Littleborough

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has urged the charity behind Honresfeld Disability Care Home, which is on the brink of closure, to do all it can to keep its doors open.

The care home in Littleborough cares for 22 people with long-term disabilities.

Patients and relatives were left distraught when they were told the home would close - originally at the end of March but subsequently pushed back to the beginning of May.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100689/leonard-cheshire-disability-announces-closure-of-littleborough-care-home

Mr Danczuk believes Leonard Cheshire Disability must do more to find a long-term solution.

While visiting the home, Mr Danczuk was “taken aback” by the praise from patients and their families for nurses who “go to all sorts of extra efforts for those under their care”.

The MP suggested one way to keep the home open would be to turn Honresfeld into a hub of excellence for Greater Manchester.

He said: “The closure of the care home is a real tragedy, particularly as residents and staff were given such short notice.

“Postponing the closure will give relatives the much needed extra time to make alternative arrangements for their family members, but there is still much more to be done.

“I have spoken to officials at Rochdale Council who believe the home could still be financially viable.

“The excellent level of care at Honresfeld is a success story for Rochdale and Leonard Cheshire Disability should be looking to build on that success.

“With the opportunities offered by regional devolution, there is a real chance to invest in expansion at Honresfeld and turn it into a hub of excellence for the whole of Greater Manchester.

“By ignoring this opportunity and choosing to cash in on the property value of the home, Leonard Cheshire Disability risk leaving a sour taste in the mouths of Rochdale residents.”

A spokesperson for Leonard Cheshire Disability said: “When we announced the consultation on the plans to close Honresfeld our focus was to talk to our residents, their families, staff, and local Commissioners to seek their views on the next steps.

"In light of the feedback during the consultation we have moved the proposed closure date to the end of May to allow additional time for residents and their families to make future plans.

"Our priority remains offering the best possible support to residents at this difficult time.

"We are sorry we have had to make this difficult decision. Our charity has been financially supporting the service for a number of years and sadly this is no longer viable.

"In addition, the Victorian building requires substantial investment to bring it up to modern day standards.”