Former MP calls on adult care chief to meet with families over New Mills care home closure plans

Thirty-bed Goyt Valley House is one of seven Derbyshire facilities set to be shut as Derbyshire County Council says its badly rundown building is ‘no longer fit for purpose’.

In a letter to residents and families last month the council wrote how the ageing building would need rewiring and some homes were no longer fit for purpose.

During a drop-in session on Friday council officers heard comments from concerned relatives over the proposals as part of a consultation over the plans.

Speaking about Councillor Jean Wharmby, who is also the member for nearby Glossop and Charlesworth, Ruth told a room packed with members of the public: “She needs to attend a public meeting here - the staff and residents of Goyt Valley House are also her constituents.”

The comments came during what had been organised as a ‘drop-in’ session for individuals to give their views about the proposals.

However, so many worried relatives turned up council officers had no choice but to hear concerns read aloud to the room.

During the session many expressed anger that staff at the home had been told they were not allowed to discuss the closure with residents or their families.

Ruth, who was elected as county councillor for Whaley Bridge last week, said: “It’s disgraceful that staff are being denied their democratic right to speak and put together alternative suggestions for provision (of care).”

Speakers told of their frustration that no alternative suggestions other than closing the much-loved council-run home had been put forward.

Ruth asked the officers: “What about working with staff and other consultees to see how it could be run better?

“Staff are being told not to speak out but they have expertise - they’re the ones who could be a real help to the council.”

Members of the public told how one of the options presented was residents being moved into private care homes - however one speaker described them as ‘hotels’.

One speaker said: “Derbyshire is one of the few counties that still have local authority care.

“The private sector is more expensive than the county-run operations - it doesn’t give the level of care that you would expect.”

Relative Kath Mulligan whose 103-year-old mother had a mini-stroke when she found out about the planned closure said: “Would this not be a perfect opportunity for the council to be made ambassadors and a flagship for every other local authority?”Speaking about her mother Nora Davis, Kath said: “She has lived in New Mills all her life - why should she have to leave the area now at the end of her life?

“We wanted her to end her life peacefully, happily and calmly - we do not want her to end it stressed out of her mind.”

A Derbyshire County Council spokesperson said: “As part of this consultation we are holding informal drop-in information sessions at venues local to all the homes affected by the proposals – which is what the New Mills library session was on Friday.

“These drop-in sessions are an opportunity for local people to find out more about the proposals, ask for more information about the consultation and leave their comments with staff.

“Separate meetings are being held specifically for residents and family members in the care homes which are affected – where they will be able to discuss the proposals at length and have all their questions answered and we would urge family members to attend these meetings.

“Because we already have separate meetings arranged for family members we were not expecting so many people to come to the public drop-in session and the venue was not suitably equipped to receive a large number arriving at the same time so we had to change our plans for running the session.

“However our staff spoke or listened to as many people as possible.

“As well as encouraging local people, residents and relatives to have their say during the consultation staff are welcome to attend meetings or drop-in sessions as private individuals and give their views as part of the consultation process.

“This consultation centres on the suitability and longer-term fitness of the care home buildings and has never been about how the homes are being run or the quality of care - which we are confident is very good.”

Derbyshire County Council’s consultation is open until April 24.

For more information click HERE.