Anger over Bristol care home closures

The proposed closure of care homes and day centres in Bristol has caused both carers and residents to express their dismay.

The withdrawal of local authority support for the facilities will see eight homes and seven day centres shut their doors over the coming three years, with Bristol City Council undertaking a "modernisation" of the care services it provides.

A recent meeting at the Council House saw around 100 people attend to make their views known about the decision, while two separate petitions failed to have an impact despite the inclusion of 240 and 940 signatures respectively.

Commenting on the decision to close the centres, Glenise Morgan, the council's cabinet member for care and health, said older people in the region should be offered more modern services.

She said that while home closures are on the cards, other venues will be reopened in order to offer "better services".

Ms Morgan concluded: "We want to make it easier for people to stay in their own homes."

As many as 132 jobs could be lost as a result of the planned changes, according to estimates, with a sum of £3.5 million likely to be saved from the council's budget over a four-year period.

Discussing the plans, deputy council leader Jon Rogers commented: "The idea of this proposal is to make sure all the needs of vulnerable people in this city are met - we have a duty to make sure that happens."

Under the measures outlined by the council, seven out of 14 day care sites will shut in the coming few years, although three community hubs will continue to provide services to individuals.

Bristol City Council reports that 178 empty beds are currently available in its care homes, but it is feared that 190 people in council-run facilities will be forced to move out as a result of plans.