Formal consultations have been launched into the future of two Cumbrian care homes.
Westmorland & Furness Council is reviewing the futures of Applethwaite Green Care Home in Windermere and Grisedale Croft in Alston.
Its cabinet met on April 21 and agreed to launch the public consultation.
A report to councillors said Applethwaite Green Care Home’s building was functionally obsolete and financially unsustainable.
It said the home had been operating at a reduced capacity of residents due to long-standing recruitment challenges, high agency reliance and an inability to meet modern regulatory standards.
It also has some of the highest costs.
Applethwaite Green is a 27-bed residential home with 16 permanent residents.
The council’s consultation document for Applethwaite Green states that it could cost from £2.5 million to £3 million to refurbish the care home to modern standards with en-suite rooms.
Running costs of more than £2,000 per week per resident are also double the cost to the council of a care home place at an independent provider or of a council-run home which is fully occupied.
Cabinet agreed to consult on all options – do nothing, refurbishment, rebuild or closure – due to the above challenges and sufficient alternative provision locally – there are 12 care homes within 16 miles rated as good by the Care Quality Commission.
Grisedale Croft has 13 bedrooms and currently has four permanent residents.
The building is more than 50 years old and has exceeded its original operational life.
In Alston and the surrounding area there is limited alternative provision, so cabinet agreed to consult on all options, but with a preferred option to provide alternative accommodation in a suitable building in the local area, if one can be acquired.
The council said it could could cost from £2.5 million to £3 million to refurbish or rebuild Grisedale Croft to modern standards with en suite rooms.
Running costs of more than £4,000 per week per resident are also four times the cost to the council of a care home place at an independent provider or of a council-run home which has full occupancy.
The council said that the cost of remodelling or rebuilding either home could be even higher than £2.5m to £3m due to geopolitical uncertainty, rising building costs, and complexities of the care home sites.
From today, people can share their views in a 12-week consultation.
The authority said: “No decisions have been taken about the final outcome for either home.
“The purpose of each 12-week consultation is to gather views, understand impacts, and ensure that any future changes prioritise safety, continuity of care and quality of life for residents.”
The consultation runs until August 5.
The council said care home residents and families will receive individual support, and staff will be kept fully informed, with trade unions engaged as part of the process. Information will also be available in formats to meet different communication needs.
There are two consultation documents and surveys available – one for Applethwaite Green and one for Grisedale Croft.
Anyone wishing to take part can complete a printed or online survey, or attend a face-to-face drop-in session to discuss the options and find out more about how to get involved.
Paper copies of the Applethwaite Green consultation document and survey will be available at Windermere, Ambleside and Kendal libraries.
Paper copies of the Grisedale Croft consultation document and survey will be available at Alston Library and other community venues.
Drop‑in events, hosted by officers from the council’s Adult Social Care team, will also be held.
For Applethwaite Green
- Monday 1 June, from 10.30am – 12.30pm, at Windermere Library;
- Monday 29 June, from 10.30am – 12.30pm, at Windermere Library;
- Wednesday 1 July, from 10.30am – 12.30pm, at Ambleside Library;
- Thursday 16 July, from 2pm – 4pm, at Windermere Library;
For Grisedale Croft
- Wednesday 3 June, from 11am – 1pm, at Alston Library;
- Monday 15 June, from 5pm – 7pm, at Alston Library;
- Friday 26 June, from 10.30am – 12.30pm at The Hive, Nenthead;
- Friday 26 June, from 2pm – 4pm, at Garrigill Village Hall;
- Wednesday 1 July, from 2pm – 4pm, at Alston Library;
- Monday 20 July, from 11am – 1pm, at Alston Library
Before completing either of the consultation surveys, people are urged to read the consultation documents to ensure they can provide feedback on each proposal.
To view the information about options for the future of Applethwaite Green and take part in the online survey, visit consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/adult-social-care/applethwaite-green
To view the information about options for the future of Grisedale Croft and take part in the online survey, visit consult.westmorlandandfurness.gov.uk/adult-social-care/grisedale-croft
Following the consultation period, all feedback will be carefully analysed and the director of adult care will make final decisions later this year.
