Campaign against 'heartbreaking' home closures plan

Liz Pope, Alison Richardson, Janet Pearson and Dianne Franks all have mothers in The Grange care home, which is facing closure

Families have criticised “heartbreaking and traumatic” plans to close a number of care homes in Derbyshire.

Derbyshire County Council is consulting on proposals to close up to 11 council-run homes and eight day centres across the county.

The council says there has been a fall in demand for traditional residential homes as more people prefer to remain at home, and it needs to focus resources on providing care for people with dementia.

Families with relatives at The Grange in Eckington, which is at risk, have launched a petition against the plans, which has been signed by more than 800 people.

Alison Richardson’s mother is 83 and moved to The Grange after her previous council-run care home closed in 2022.

She said: “It’s so traumatic. Unless you see a relative going through this you cannot understand how upsetting it is.

“It is very distressing for my mum and for the staff trying to support her through this process. It has been quite heartbreaking, I cannot actually believe we are going through it again.

“My mum is really settled and I have no idea where she is going to move to. It is an absolute nightmare.”

'So upsetting'

Liz Pope’s mum has been in The Grange for five years.

She said: “My mum struggles with terrible anxiety but her mental health has been the best for years, I think largely due to the carers at The Grange. They know her really well and a move will completely knock her mentally.

“It will really upset her, we have not actually told her yet. The carers treat mum like a second family and we are finding this so upsetting.

“It was not an option for mum to stay in her own home, she needs two people to assist her in the middle of the night. She sees The Grange as her home and she does not want to leave.”

Janet Pearson and her sister Dianne Franks also have their mum, who is 89, in The Grange.

Ms Pearson said: “She made the decision herself to give up her home and go to The Grange as she knew she could not stay on her own. The best solution is for The Grange to be assessed on its own merits and reputation.”

Derbyshire County Council said no decisions would be made until after the public consultation, which runs until 7 August.

A spokesman said: “We understand this is an unsettling time for residents, families and carers but nothing will be decided until we hear from everyone.

“With a growing number of people in Derbyshire living with dementia, we need to focus our resources on having the right options to support them and their carers, which would give us the resources needed to meet demand so we can continue to support people who need us most.”

The care homes under threat are:

• Briar Close, Borrowash

• Bennerley Fields, Cotmanhay

• Castle Court, Swadlincote

• Florence Shipley, Heanor

• The Grange, Eckington

• Lacemaker Court, Long Eaton

• The Leys, Ashbourne

• New Bassett House, Shirebrook

• Rowthorne, Swanwick

• Thomas Colledge, Bolsover

• Whitestones, Chapel-en-le-Frith

The day centres at risk of closure are:

• Blackwell Day Centre, Bolsover

• Eccles Fold Resource Centre, Chapel-en-le-Frith

• Fabrick Day Services, Clay Cross

• Hasland Resource Centre, Chesterfield

• Jubilee Centre, New Mills

• Queen's Court, Buxton

• Shirevale Resource Centre, Shirebrook

• Valley View Day Centre, Bolsover