Backlash at care home closures

Councillor Colin Lambert

Labour Group Leader on Rochdale Borough Council, Councillor Colin Lambert has hit out at the Lib Dem Council's plan to close four of the borough's care homes.

Councillor Lambert said: "We believe that the four intermediate care homes are a quality provision which we should be proud of.

"We will continue the fight to keep all four intermediate care homes open in their current role. These are a vital provision and speeds up recovery and frees up hospital beds. Closing of these facilities is short sighted and will push costs elsewhere and cause not just an inconvenience but will be detrimental to ill health recovery.

"Many elderly people have been able to leave hospital and recover at a gentle pace and then return to their own homes and retain their independence because they have attended an intermediate care home.

"This is a top quality provision and we should be proud that we are able to find the resources to respect our elderly when they need us most.

"Whilst we are glad that two homes will be saved under the latest proposals, we are saddened that the Lib Dems have chosen to cut the provision across the borough. Closing two homes will impact on the provision in the two remaining homes and once again they have not thought through the consequences of their decision.

"It is likely that more elderly people will now not be able to return to their own homes and costs in the long term will increase. They will also lose their independence.

Councillor Dale Mulgrew, the Lib Dem Cabinet member and portfolio holder for adult care says the decision will not see a reduction in provision for the needs of the Borough, he maintains that "care will focus around district centres".

He added: "We will now be looking to strengthen the arrangements for care in the community."