Hampshire council to close three care homes

Hampshire County Council has decided to close three care homes and move residents into private care.

It said the homes in Gosport, Winchester and Fleet were not suitable to meet the needs of Hampshire's growing ageing population.

The planned move had been criticised by trade union Unison which said it was "privatisation by the back door".

A decision to go ahead with the closure plans was made at a meeting earlier following a public consultation.

Addenbrooke in Gosport, Cornerways in Winchester and Thurlston House in Fleet will close once the residents who remain there have been found alternative accommodation.

'Significant problems'

Councillor Felicity Hindson, executive member for adult social care, said: "I fully understand how unsettling and worrying this has been for the residents, their families and staff.

She said all three homes had "significant problems" and the buildings were no longer suitable.

"Although we could have spent £4.5m on basic maintenance for the three homes, it would have needed a considerably larger investment to bring them up to modern standards," she explained.

"Having looked closely at the responses from a 12-week consultation, as well as seeking advice from council experts on the current condition of the homes, I am satisfied there is suitable alternative residential or nursing accommodation available for the residents in the three homes to choose from.

"These alternatives will be close to where they are now so that groups of friends can stay together, which is what people told us they wanted.

"I would like to emphasise that no home will close until all the residents are completely happy with their new accommodation."