The results of a public consultation on proposals to build six new council-run care homes for older people will be discussed by Cumbria County Council’s cabinet next week (Tuesday 10 June).
Care home residents, their families and members of the public have used the consultation process to voice broad support for the plans to develop new homes near to community hospitals in Wigton, Keswick, Millom, Alston, Penrith and Brampton. The new homes would replace ageing council-run facilities in the same communities.
People also used the consultation to list a number of attributes they would like to see included in the design of the new homes, such as accommodation for married couples and a 'homely' atmosphere.
Respondents also said they would like to see the new homes take their place as an integral part of the local community, with shops and other shared facilities.
Many bedrooms in existing council-run care homes are too small with people often having to share bathrooms because of a lack of en-suite facilities.
All the new homes would have bigger bedrooms and more space for wheelchairs, lifting-hoists and other essential equipment
The county council's proposals have been have been drawn up with the help of Cumbria Primary Care Trust and older people’s charity Age Concern.
The three-month consulation ended on 28 April and was run by Shaping Our Lives, an independent national research and development project led by service users.
Later this year, councillors will be asked to consider different funding options before deciding whether to give the new homes the go-ahead.
One funding option which could be considered is Community Ventures –a scheme created by the Government to provide capital funding to help pay for shared health and social care facilities.
Councillor Bill Wearing, cabinet member for Adult Health and Wellbeing, said: "Staff in council-run homes are well trained and provide the best care they can, but the homes themselves - the bricks and mortar - often let them down.
"Residents and their possessions are often squeezed into cramped bedrooms with up to seven people sharing one bathroom. This is not acceptable in this day and age when people expect and demand more privacy.
"These new homes would enable us to provide older people with more choice and independence while preserving everything that is good about the here and now."
ENDS
Note
Follow the link at the bottom of the page to view the cabinet paper and Shaping Our Lives consultation report to be considered by Cumbria County Council's cabinet on 10 June.
Please note: Cumbria County Council's media team telephone numbers have now changed.
Media enquiries to Mark Graham, Media Officer on 01228 226337.
Follow this link to view related cabinet paper (followed by appendix)