Plans to shut down council-run care homes in Lancashire have sparked outrage and deep anxiety among residents and their families, who describe the proposals as 'cruel' and premature.
A Sense of Home Shattered
For 95-year-old Marjorie Aspden, Woodlands care home in Clayton-le-Moors, Accrington, was an ideal final chapter. From her window, she could see the woods she played in as a child, providing a profound sense of contentment and belonging. Her son, Phil, explained they moved her there just six months ago because her needs became too great for sheltered housing. He now cannot bear to tell her about the potential closure, fearing she would be heartbroken at the prospect of another move.
He also revealed the council has already begun a review of his mother's care needs, which he finds alarming. 'It seems premature if the consultation stage is still in place, so it feels like the decision is all but made,' he said.
The Human Cost of Budget Cuts
The uncertainty stems from a consultation launched last month by the Reform-led Lancashire county council. The plans involve moving residents out of five local authority care homes and day centres. The consultation closes in mid-December, with a final cabinet decision expected in February.
Dorothy Devereux, 92, a former nurse and carer, has lived at Woodlands for the past 12 years and was adamant it was the only place she could comfortably spend her final years. Her children, Frances and Simon, are fighting the plans. They argue the report justifying the sale is outdated and that there is insufficient capacity in remaining care homes, potentially forcing relocations over long distances.
'From everything we've seen so far, all that they've talked about is money, they've not even considered the human cost,' said Simon. 'They haven't thought about how this impacts our parents... it's cruel, especially from a party that claims to have respect for people who have contributed to society.'
The siblings discovered the plans from their mother, having received no official notice from the council. This lack of communication was echoed by other families, with some only learning of the threat when added to a WhatsApp group. Many of the 50 residents at Woodlands, particularly those with conditions like dementia, remain unaware of the looming change.
Lives and Livelihoods on the Line
The proposal is viewed as part of a drive by Reform councils to balance budgets, influenced by their Trump-inspired Department of Government Efficiency (Doge). However, critics argue the human impact will be severe.
Centenarian Ken Ormerod, who lives with anxiety, has finally found peace at Woodlands after a difficult life. His daughter, Aileen Walmsley, a former staff member at the home, fears he would not survive another move. 'He's come out of his shell... He's even got a small group of friends. I don't think he could go on if he lost that,' she said emotionally.
Sarah Smith, the MP for Hyndburn, where Woodlands is located, condemned the plans as 'ideological' rather than logical. She believes the cost of moving residents to private homes would see the council spending more than it saves within 18 months. 'When they talk about cutting fat, they really mean cutting frontline services,' she stated, dubbing the Doge principles the 'department of granny evictions.'
In response, Graham Dalton, Lancashire county council’s cabinet member for adult social care, emphasised that the review aimed to ensure care remains 'safe, high-quality, and sustainable.' He acknowledged the deep value of these services and stated that 'no decisions have been made,' with the consultation being a vital step to gather views before any final cabinet decision.
