Hungerford care home slated for closure

Shock for residents and vulnerable staff

THE Chestnut Walk Care Home in Hungerford has been earmarked for closure under new budget cuts.

The West Berkshire Council-run home in Coldharbour Road has been singled out for closure in the local authority’s 2016/17 Budget Proposal.

The document states that West Berkshire Council currently owns and operates four care homes in Shaw, Thatcham, Kintbury and Hungerford.

It goes on to state: “Whilst a lot of work has been completed to ensure the homes represent good value for money, financial modelling on the smallest home shows that the council can purchase the care beds at a lower cost from the external care providers.

“It is therefore proposed that we close the smallest home, which is Chestnut Walk, which will result in a saving of £94,000.”

Regarding the anticipated impact, the document adds: “The home has capacity for 13 residents, all of whom will require re-provision.

“This will be managed through effective planning and in consultation with families.

“We will re-deploy staff to avoid redundancies.”

Up to five of the spaces are allocated to people with dementia or a mental health need.

The council said it initially considered redeveloping the site to provide a larger home which could offer greater value for money.

However, the document concludes: “... the site is limited and therefore it is not possible to expand it in a way that would reduce running costs sufficiently.

“We have also looked at local care home provision and believe it offers sufficient choice for families.”

The council has asked for families to participate in a consultation on how the closure would impact the wider community.

The results of the consultation will be considered at a future meeting of the full council.

n WHAT do you think? Will you or your family be affected? Contact reporter John Garvey at john.garvey@newburynews.co.uk or telephone (01635) 564 528.