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DEESIDE CARE HOME TO SHUT Borough council slams county’s decision as “unacceptable”
BASINGSTOKE and Deane Borough Council (BDBC) has expressed its dismay over the decision to close Deeside care home for good. On Monday, Hampshire County Council (HCC’s) cabinet voted to close the centre, as well as Bulmer House in Petersfield and Nightingale Lodge in Romsey. HCC leader, Cllr Roy Perry, described the decision as “very difficult”, but necessary, as it was not economically viable to bring the buildings up to modern standards. Over 7,000 signatures had been collected by Basingstoke residents in a bid to keep the home open. BDBC cabinet member for Partnerships, Councillor Cathy Osselton, wrote to HCC in October advising against closing Deeside. But her words did not change the decision, as the cabinet voted unanimously in shutting the three centres. Deeside, in Alliston Way, South Ham, will not be closed until the specialist wing of Oakridge Care Home is opened, estimated to be autumn next year. However, Cllr Osselton said the outcome was “unacceptable”. “Although the county council
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has agreed to delay the closure for up to a year, this is still an unacceptable outcome for residents, their families and staff at Deeside, which provides an excellent standard of care and quality of life,” she said. “The strength of feeling in the borough is clear with more than 7,000 people signing the petition against closure. “Inevitably, current residents will be affected by the county’s longer-term plans and our council remains unconvinced that adequate alternative accommodation will be made available to them, particularly for those suffering from dementia and needing round the clock support. “I will continue to take a keen interest in this group of vulnerable people and where they are eventually placed.” Alan Stone, treasurer of Save Deeside, added: “Everyone’s putting a brave face on it, but we’re all incredibly disappointed. “Especially with the fact it was unanimous vote against us.” Lynn Rich, whose mother-in-law is a Deeside resident, said: “As a group we are proud of how we conducted ourselves and feel we did everything in our power to keep our home open.”
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‘The start of the Christmas season’ Mr Stone confirmed confi rmed that that, after a meeting on Tuesday night, the group would continue to fight, and hinted they would attempt to secure a full judicial review on the decision.
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Cllr Perry has vowed HCC will work closely with residents and families to make the transition as easy as possible. “This has been a very difficult decision because we are conscious
that we are talking about people’s homes,” he said. “We want to ensure their care needs are properly met now, as well as ensuring that care can be delivered in the best possible way
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in the future future. “Our dedicated care staff will now work closely with the residents of Deeside, Bulmer House and Nightingale Lodge and their • Continued on page 2
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