Desborough Care Home Could Close

Beech Close care home in Desborough could close as part of plans to shake-up adult social care services.

The ageing facility, run by in North Northamptonshire Council, is in need of major improvements estimated to cost £6m.

The authority is considering if investing in other more modern homes it owns would be the best way forward and is to consult with staff, residents and their families, before making any final decisions.

Beech Close care home in Desborough
Pic: Google

Beech Close has 42 bedrooms, but half the building is currently out of use due to needed repairs.

A Council report states bedroom sizes below minimum standards, there are no en-suite facilities, bathrooms are unfit for undertaking hoisted transfers and a full replacement of heating systems are required.

It is not yet known where residents would move to if the home shut.

Cllr Helen Harrison, North Northamptonshire Council’s Executive member for Adults, Health and Wellbeing, said: “A report that was discussed and approved at Executive on October 13 asked for permission to consult on a strategy to transform our in-house adult social care provider services.

“The strategy proposes that the focus of these services will be to provide reablement, enablement and developing independence, moving away from the provision of longer-term support. It aims to make the direct delivery of the council’s provider services fit for the future.

“The strategy also provides options for different ways that buildings used for care can be improved if possible or look at different options where we cannot deliver what we want from the current buildings.

“Beech Close, Desborough, would be one of our services that we would be reviewing as part of this work, but no firm decision has yet been made.

“Before any decisions are made, we will be consulting with staff, residents and their families in order that the right choice is made about the future of Beech Close and to determine what is best for the staff and residents in the long term.”