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Concern over care homes closure being 'a done deal'
CONCERN has been voiced that closure of three South Tyneside care homes is a "done deal".
A consultation process has been carried out over the future of Beech Street House in Jarrow, Gerald Street, House in South Shields and specialist dementia centre Connolly House in Whiteleas.
A council select committee will present a series of recommendations on the future of the homes in two weeks' time.
But officers with the authority's Adult Social Care Service have already put forward five options, with the preferred one being the closure of Beech Street and Gerald Street and the retention of Connolly House for two years, at which point residents would be transferred to an alternative "model of care" facility.
And at a special meeting of the council's healthy lives select committee yesterday, campaigners and councillors expressed their uncertainty over what provision would replace the homes – if they close.
Jane Robinson, the council's head of adult social care, said consultation was in the early stages with South Tyneside Primary Care Trust and the region's mental health trust over what form the new replacement 'model of care' facility would take.
She said: "It was important for the council to modernise and develop services which maximise people's independence by giving them the skills and opportunities to remain in the community for as long as possible."
But councillors on the committee, from all political persuasions, voiced their unhappiness at the lack of detail over what the future services would be.
Coun John Hodgson, of the Independent Alliance, said: "We don't know what the model is going to be, but in the meantime we would move vulnerable people out of their homes without any thought for their well-being."
Fellow Independent Alliance representative George Waddle said: "It is my considered opinion that the only model they have in mind is the closure of these three homes to save the council money.
"This is not a consultation, it is a fait accompli."
Labour's Coun Linda Waggott said: "We have no idea what the option is all about, we don't have a clue what this model will be.
"It could prove to be to the benefit of elderly people in the area, but at the moment there is nothing there."
Committee chairman, Labour's Ernest Gibson, also acknowledged there was a "lot of confusion".
He added: "It's like we're going round in circles. We don't know what the options are."
And Beech Street campaigner John Watson claimed the council may have prejudiced the consultation process by coming out in favour of one option.
The council's decision-making cabinet will be asked to endorse the select committee's recommendations on
October 6.
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Weather for Jarrow
Thursday 17 May 2012
Today
Light rain
Temperature: 6 C to 9 C
Wind Speed: 7 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 5 C to 10 C
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