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The proposed closure of a Sheerness care home is not a done deal, Kent County Council (KCC) has insisted.
Relatives spoke of their fears after residents of Blackburn Lodge in Broadway were told it may shut, with plans to focus on at-home care instead.
But while KCC says that is the favoured option, it has put other alternatives forward as part of a 10-week consultation, which opened on Tuesday, January 21.
The authority could do nothing and continue to deliver services at Blackburn Lodge as it is and sell the home as a going concern.
It could also explore the market to deliver ‘Housing with Care’, use the site for alternative provision or sell the building and land - all of which mean the closure of the home and residents having to be relocated.
Despite this, KCC is clear that its preferred option is to “close Blackburn Lodge and find alternative provision for residents”.
The consultation documents set out that officers hope to explore options for developing older people’s accommodation, preferably on the Island, in the form of ‘Housing with Care’.
'Where is the logic in closing a facility that’s rated good?' - Alan Williamson
It would offer purpose-built accessible accommodation where you can live independently, own an apartment, and use communal facilities like restaurants and lounges.
There would also be care staff available around the clock to respond in an emergency.
Among those who will be affected is 94-year-old Joan Spall.
Son-in-law Alan Williamson, of Adelaide Drive, Sittingbourne, said: “Searching for care homes within 10 miles of Sittingbourne, I found 19 requiring improvement, four awaiting inspection and one inadequate.
“Where is the logic in closing a facility that’s rated good, despite underfunding, when many others in the area are rated not as good or not yet rated?”
Kent County Council (KCC) discussed closing Blackburn Lodge care home previously, in 2015 and 2010.
A KCC spokesman said: “The previous agreement to close the home in 2015 was contingent on first developing alternative services on the Island.
“Nursing services could not be delivered due to the workforce challenges in the nursing sector and geographical considerations which remain an issue on the Island.
“KCC is now concentrating on the development of Housing with Care services which is reliant on the alignment and buy-in of a number of partners, and other factors such as site availability and market appetite.
“After the 2015 consultation these factors did not align, but following positive discussions with the market, we are now much more confident in achieving Housing with Care on the Island.”
The home, rated ‘good’ by the Care Quality Commission, has space for 35 residents.
An online questionnaire, set up by KCC to collect views about the proposal to close the home, makes no reference to the other options KCC has said it is still considering.
The consultation will run until Tuesday, March 31.
To take part in the consultation, go online at kent.gov.uk/blackburnlodgeconsultation by March 31. A decision is expected to be made on the home’s future in June.
