Victory for residents after plans to close two major…

Victory for residents after plans to close two major care homes dropped

Plans to close two major nursing homes in Salford have been dropped after a fierce campaign to keep the vital services.

Residents in Monica Court, Monton, and Astley Court, Irlam, were left worried after plans to close the facilities were announced at the end of May, with landlords ForHousing saying they were going to rehome tenants "over the coming years". Local councillors, trade union UNISON, MP Barbara Keeley, and Salford city mayor Paul Dennett all fought against the changes, with petitions being set up by residents and their families to halt the plans.

Today, June 20, residents have been given confirmation that the plans have been scrapped, after ForHousing met with Mr Dennett, Coun Hannah Robinson Smith, a local representative and executive member for social care, MPs, and council officers who all opposed the decision.

ForHousing originally announced that they would "phase out" the two buildings as they "cannot meet the standards" they want to provide to tenants, with the homes primarily offering assisted living to frail, elderly, or vulnerable residents who need support due to physical, or mental health problems or learning difficulties.

They stated that the announcement meant no new residents would be moving into the buildings, but none of the existing tenants were being asked to leave their home immediately, although a review would be taking place in 12 months time to determine whether the closure would take place.

Colette McKune, CEO of ForHousing, said: “We have listened to the views of tenants and the community and understand their feelings about living at Astley and Monica Courts. We will be sharing this positive news with tenants and their families today. We will continue to work in partnership with Salford City Council on the quality of extra care housing going forward.”

It is not yet clear whether this decision will have any impact on residents, or what will be done about the two buildings to ensure they are fit for purpose for the coming years. However, this change does lift the uncertainty from residents who were fearing being moved away from their friends and family in the local community.

Mr Dennett said: “We commend ForHousing for reviewing their proposals & working with us to provide a resolution which provides a future for these two invaluable extra care housing schemes We will continue to work closely with ForHousing to make wider housing plans that provide the right quality housing to serve our local areas. Our registered housing providers play an absolutely critical role in providing affordable homes for local people."

Coun Robinson Smith added: "ForHousing were profusely apologetic for the distress caused to residents, their families, and the wider community and they have agreed to rip up their plans, and come back to the drawing board in a true and proper partnership to ensure that we are never in this position again.

"Moving forward we need to ensure that residents are supported to live where they wish to, surrounded by a community they love, and supported how they need to be."