Council to pay compensation over care home closure

Hazel Garth care home in Knottingley was closed with 24 hours' notice last May

A council is to pay compensation for the distress caused by the sudden closure of a care home for residents with dementia.

Hazel Garth, in Knottingley, West Yorkshire, was closed at 24 hours' notice in May last year, leading to Wakefield Council issuing a public apology.

An independent review into the incident found the council's reputation had been "severely damaged" and called for the it to compensate residents and their families.

The council has confirmed that a financial settlement had been agreed but said it would not be publicly disclosing the amounts involved.

According to the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS), Gillian Marshall, the council's chief legal officer, said: "The compensation was a recommendation from the independent review.

"And we fully agree that it was right and proper for the council to make an appropriate payment of compensation.

"This has now been agreed and, out of respect to the families involved, we won't be releasing any further details."

The Labour-run authority apologised for failings which led to the facility being temporarily shut down 10 months ago.

Six residents were given 24 hours to leave, with some having their belongings placed in bin bags.

Janine Hercock says her mum, who has dementia, was given 24 hours' notice that her care home was temporarily closing

The review, which was carried out by Jane Waggott and published in August, said the closure "was not justified" and "should not have happened in the way it did and must never happen again."

The document described how one resident died 16 days after being moved.

The report said: "The decision to close Hazel Garth so rapidly has had a profound effect on all concerned and has caused harm and distress.

"The reputation of the council has been severely damaged.

"If people had been consulted and involved in the decision, if more thought and consideration had been given to the residents who lived in Hazel Garth and their families, then I strongly believe there would have been no need for this review.

"Common courtesy was not afforded to the residents who were in the council's care.

"The residents and their families have been let down.

"I have listened to families recount some very distressing examples of that."

Extensive changes to the council's governance and decision making processes were also recommended.

The home is due to be reopened next month following the completion of building repairs and maintenance.

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