Elderly residents of a Lancashire care home are facing an uncertain future after the Reform-led county council announced plans to close five local authority care homes and day centres. The consultation, which began last month, has left families and residents distressed, with many fearing the upheaval will be devastating for vulnerable loved ones.
Marjorie Aspden, 95, moved into Woodlands care home in Clayton-le-Moors six months ago and has been content looking out at the woods she played in as a child. Her son Phil said he cannot bear to tell her about the potential closure, as she would be 'heartbroken' to move again. He added that the council had already started a review of his mother's care needs, which 'feels like the decision is all but made'.
Dorothy Devereux, 92, has lived at Woodlands for 12 years and was adamant it was the only place she wanted to spend her final years. Her children, Frances and Simon, described the plans as 'cruel', arguing that a report justifying the possible sale is years out of date and that there is insufficient space in remaining homes. Simon said the council had 'not even considered the human cost'.
Some families have chosen not to inform residents with dementia or Alzheimer's, fearing it would shatter their peace. Aileen Walmsley, whose father Ken Ormerod, 100, lives at Woodlands, said he would not survive another move. 'Since being here he’s come out of his shell... I can’t imagine him losing that,' she said.
Sarah Smith, MP for Hyndburn, criticised the proposal as an 'ideological position' driven by the council's Trump-inspired Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). She argued that moving residents to private homes would cost more within 18 months, calling it 'the department of granny evictions'. The consultation closes in mid-December, with a final decision expected in February.
