A consultation has launched today on the future of The Abbey residential care home in Staveley.
The 28 bed home, which is operated by Cumbria County Council’s Cumbria Care service, is currently home to seven residents. The proposals being consulted upon until 1 November, would see the home close and the site be made available for alternative uses, potentially including alternative affordable housing or care provision, such as supported elderly persons’ flats.
The closure proposal reflects reducing demand for residential care as people choose to live in their own homes for as long as possible, and the fact the standard of accommodation at The Abbey no longer meets modern requirements, despite the excellent care provided by the dedicated team.
A consultation document is available online at: cumbria.gov.uk/haveyoursay and copies are being made available in Staveley Post Office and the home itself. There will also be a community drop-in event (8 October, 3.30-7.00pm at Staveley Village Hall) for local people to discuss the proposals face to face with the council.
Cllr Patricia Bell, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care, said: “A proposal like this is always difficult and we know local people will have questions and concerns. We want to use this consultation to discuss and explore these before a final decision is reached. We know from conversations we’ve had with the community already that The Abbey is an important part of the village, but there is also a recognition that it would take a significant investment to bring it up to modern standards and with the trend of reducing demand for residential care there are other ways of providing care in future that might better meet people’s needs and aspirations. I’d encourage people to read the consultation document, and attend the drop in event, and share their views with us.”
The council’s Cabinet will make a decision on the proposals at its meeting on 14 November. Should closure be agreed, current residents would be fully supported to move to alternative accommodation in the local area which can meet their needs.
Staff at The Abbey already work as a team across the Kendal and Windermere area and would be supported to continue to do so, should they wish to, if the home were to close. We do not anticipate that the proposals would result in any compulsory redundancies. We will of course be keeping all staff affected by these proposals fully informed at every stage and the council is especially keen to hear staff views.
