Rhondda Cynon Taf Council is considering the closure of two care homes in the area, Ferndale and Hawthorn, in a move to potentially save £2 million per year. The proposal comes as a response to a decline in demand for traditional care homes. The council noted that over a third of available beds in the council’s care homes are currently vacant.
The council’s cabinet is set to review the proposals next week, which include permanently closing Cae Glas and Ferndale House care homes. By reducing the number of vacant beds in the council’s adult residential accommodation, they anticipate saving around £2 million annually while still meeting the care demands in the area.
The plan involves reducing residential care beds by 65, leaving 84 vacancies across the council’s care homes if the proposals are approved. The report highlighted that there has been a decrease in occupied beds since 2016/17, despite a growing older population, with a shift towards dementia care, homecare services, and extra care.
In response to changing demands, the council aims to focus on modernising care accommodation, particularly in dementia care, where there is a rising need. As part of this effort, the proposed extra care offer may not proceed. The council emphasised the importance of residents maintaining their independence in their homes or independent living complexes as they age.
While plans are underway for the development of new care facilities, the existing Ferndale House Care Home is considered outdated and financially unsustainable. An eight-week consultation is recommended for the proposed closure of this facility. Residents would be offered alternative accommodation, with the option to return to the new care home in Ferndale upon its completion.
Similarly, Cae Glas Care Home in Hawthorn, which has not reached full capacity, faces a proposal for permanent closure pending suitable alternative accommodation for its residents. The council assures support for residents and families throughout the consultation process, including exploring redeployment opportunities for staff potentially affected by the closures.
Councillor Gareth Caple, cabinet member for health and social care, highlighted the council’s obligation to provide quality and sustainable adult care services. The proposed changes align with the evolving demand for care services, focusing on respite care, complex care, and independent living with support.
The council remains committed to investing in modern care facilities, with ongoing projects to enhance care provision in Rhondda Cynon Taf. The cabinet will review the occupancy of existing residential care beds and discuss future investments, including a new dementia care facility in Ferndale. The consultation outcomes will inform the final decision-making process.
The potential closure of care homes and the shift towards modern care services reflect the council’s strategy to meet the changing needs of the community while ensuring the sustainability of care provisions in the long term.