The potential closure of two additional care homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf (RCT) has sparked concerns among residents, families, and staff, with one councillor describing the move as “devastating.” The closure proposals for care homes in Ferndale and Hawthorn are now open for consultation after a committee decided not to refer them back to the cabinet. Councillor Cathy Lisles, along with two other councillors, had raised objections to the closure plans, which include shutting down Ferndale House care home and Cae Glas care home to establish a new specialist dementia care facility in Ferndale.
The decision not to refer the proposals back to the cabinet was made at an overview and scrutiny committee meeting, where it was discussed that the declining demand for traditional care homes has led to more than a third of available beds in council care homes being vacant. The proposed closures are estimated to save the council around £2 million annually. The council members who raised objections highlighted various concerns, including the lack of discussion on alternative solutions to the deficit and the potential impact on residents and their families.
Councillor Gareth Caple, the cabinet member for health and social care, acknowledged the sensitive nature of the proposals, noting the decreasing demand for general residential care over the past decade. The emphasis was placed on the financial challenges faced by the council and the need to ensure the sustainability of care services in the region.
Councillor Lisles expressed deep concerns over the impact of further care home closures on residents, families, and staff who provide essential care services. She highlighted the importance of considering the well-being of elderly residents, especially those with dementia, and stressed the potential harm caused by relocating them away from their families. The councillor also raised issues regarding the restrictions on new admissions and the overall efficiency of the proposed changes.
The council explained that there is a growing preference among residents to maintain independence in their own homes or independent living complexes as they age, leading to a shift towards investing in modern care facilities focused on dementia care. Plans are underway to repurpose the Chubb factory site in Ferndale for this purpose, with the aim of providing updated and suitable care accommodations.
In conclusion, the potential closure of two care homes in Rhondda Cynon Taf has raised significant concerns and sparked debate among councillors and stakeholders regarding the impact on residents, families, and the overall community. The need for careful consideration, evidence-based decision-making, and a focus on sustainable long-term care solutions has been emphasized in the ongoing discussions surrounding the proposed closures.
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(Note: This article has been rephrased and restructured for clarity and ease of reading. The original content was sourced from Wales Online.)