Decision on possible closure of Northampton care home will be taken next week

Northamptonshire County Council launched a review of its accommodation for older people in February.

Following a three-month consultation, councillors are being be asked to approve a proposal to close Ecton Brook care home in Northampton and to ‘redesign’ the council’s five remaining homes to be more flexible, adaptable and affordable.

If approved, Ecton Brook would be closed over a three-month period and alternative suitable accommodation will be found for the 18 residents.

Of the remaining five homes:

-Boniface House in Brixworth will be developed alongside the adjacent sheltered housing to increase facilities

-Evelyn Wright House in Daventry will remain open until a new fit-for-purpose care home is built in Daventry, at which point all residents and staff will move into the new premises to ensure consistency of care

-Obelisk House in Northampton will be developed into a specialist dementia care centre

-Ridgway House, Towcester will be developed to create an extra care village

-Southfields House in Northampton will be developed into a care facility offering respite, intermediate and dementia care services

Full business cases including timetables will be developed for each of the five homes for cabinet approval on Tuesday.

Councillor Bill Parker, cabinet member for adult social care, said: “Our review of accommodation for elderly people is about making sure we can meet the growing demand for adult care services over the next five years, but also about offering people a choice in the type of accommodation they require.

“We know that there is a growing demand for extra care housing, retirement villages and supported living, and there’s also an increasing number of people needing specialist dementia services.

“By working in partnership with district and borough councils and other partners, we hope to redesign our five remaining Olympus Care Services homes to enable us to meet these future needs.”

Councillor Parker added: “The closure of Ecton Brook will be carefully planned with individual residents, their families, staff and medical professionals to ensure a smooth and sensitive transition to new accommodation, with the needs of the residents being paramount.”

Proposals for the future use of Ecton Brook care home will be brought back to Cabinet once determined.