Derbyshire County Council confirms U-turn on care home closure date plans

Derbyshire County Council cabinet members will meet tomorrow and are expected to rubber-stamp a proposal that the authority will not close any of its care homes until another local care home or alternative provision is in place and to carry out refurbishments to a number of homes.

East Clune Care Home in Clowne and Brimington’s The Spinney were set to close this September, with Holmlea Care Home in Tibshelf and Gernon Manor in Bakewell following in September 2021.

Families of residents at The Spinney have expressed relief that the home has been saved and Chesterfield MP Toby Perkins welcomed the move.

Cabinet member for adult care, Councillor Jean Wharmby, said: “We have listened carefully to the views given during the consultation and have considered the huge change in the requirements of and for care homes that Covid 19 has brought about.

“The consultation began before the pandemic which has had, and will continue to have, an enormous impact on the future of care for older people in Derbyshire.

“As a result we are now proposing to develop local alternatives to the homes requiring major work or to invest in significant repairs to bring homes up to the best possible standards.”

The cabinet will consider the report at a virtual meeting at 2pm on Thursday, June 4.