Warwickshire council considers closing care homes

Warwickshire County Council has 10 homes it is considering closing

Public spending cuts could lead to the closure of Warwickshire County Council's 10 elderly care homes.

The council has written to the families of residents saying it wants to begin a consultation.

It is looking at a possible phased closure over several years, but said it wanted the views of residents, families and staff before doing anything else

The council is facing a 25% reduction in its adult social care budget from the government.

John Bolton, the interim director of adult services at the county council, told BBC Coventry & Warwickshire the council could not afford to carry on as before.

'Much more expensive'

"The reason this has come to a head is because Warwickshire County Council is going to have to find something in the region of £25m - that is money it is going to have less - over the next three years," he said.

Mr Bolton said the council had to consider whether it was economical for it to maintain its own homes.

"Our in-house homes are much more expensive than the external market and we have to seriously consider whether it is sustainable to continue as providers," he said.

"The majority of residential care home places in Warwickshire are run by the voluntary and private care sector and we know that the capacity and quality is there in the external market."

Brian Shirley's 101-year-old father lives at Park View Home in Warwick.

He said they were not sure what it would mean for residents.

"My dad has been there for three years and he's happy there," he said.

"There's four of us children but none of us can give him the care that he needs. He went into the nursing home because he needs 24-hour care."