Somerset families devastated at plans to close care homes

Somerset Care said they can no longer afford to operate the two care homes

Families of residents at two care homes in Somerset at risk of closure say the news has come out of the blue.

They were told on Wednesday that Critchill Court in Frome and Sunnymeade in Chard could shut at the end of April.

Somerset Care, which runs them, said they are "truly sorry" but they are "no longer financially viable".

The union Unison said the proposals are "devastating for the people of Somerset".

Helen Stevens' mum Gill has Alzheimer's, and has lived in Critchill Court care home in Frome for around a year.

She said the dilemma now is to find somewhere else nearby that can cater for her needs.

"It's an awful shock when you think your loved ones are safely catered for and looked after somewhere, to suddenly find that you need to find somewhere else for them," she said.

Clive Baker, Gill's husband, said he is worried about the impact the closure will have on her.

"It is obviously going to distress her, because she is very comfortable there, having worked there previously for 15 years," he said.

Mr Baker also fears he and his family may have to travel two or three times the distance to visit an alternative home.

Unison said: "Chard and Frome are small rural towns with limited services and few alternatives for anyone who wishes to stay close to their loved ones nearby"

Somerset Care who operate the home said rising operating and maintenance costs, a dated building and the chronic underfunding of the adult social care sector, means they can no longer afford to keep it open.

A spokesperson said: "The Local Authority care fees we receive do not meet the real cost of delivering the care which we are being asked to provide."

"This leaves us with no choice but to make difficult decisions to ensure the financial security and long-term sustainability of Somerset Care, and, more importantly, the safety and quality of the services which we deliver."

Tom Kennedy-Hughes from the union Unison in Somerset is calling on Somerset Care to reconsider its plans saying the closures would have a "disastrous" impact on current residents and those needing care in the future".

He said the union will do all it can to keep the care homes open and support staff which includes migrant workers from all over the world, who have been invited by Somerset Care to work there.

He added some of the staff are "really scared" because the closure for them could mean they can no longer meet the terms of their VISAs, so they will have to go back home.

A petition asking Somerset Care to carefully reconsider its plans has already attracted more than 900 signatures.

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