Derbyshire County Council’s Care Home Closures Ignite Family ‘Fury’ Over 100-Year-Old Resident’s Relocation

Derbyshire County Council’s announcement of the closure of eight care centers has led to a 100-year-old resident facing relocation from his current home, a situation that has left his family “furious”. Thomas Colledge House Care Home, located in Bolsover, is slated for closure and sale, a consequence of the authority’s cabinet decision made on Thursday. Dennis Freeman, a resident, now confronts an “uncertain future.” His daughter-in-law, Angela Morgan, commented: “At that age, he doesn’t want the upset and upheaval of moving… it’s very traumatic.” The council stated its rationale for the decision was the necessity to reconfigure the care service to enhance dementia care provisions and to achieve cost savings. Mr. Freeman, a long-term resident of Bolsover for over 70 years, began living at Thomas Colledge in December 2023. According to his daughter-in-law, Mr. Freeman had wished to remain in his own residence, but caregivers informed the family that a move to a care home was necessary. Mr. Freeman, whose past included working on the railways during World War Two and serving as a transport manager for the National Coal Board, sold his property to finance his care at the facility. Staff at the care home have discussed the impending closure with him, and Ms. Morgan reported that her father-in-law expressed being “very worried” regarding what lies ahead. She further noted that Mr. Freeman does not suffer from dementia and expressed her belief that the council is “ignoring” individuals in residential care who do not have this condition. Ms. Morgan stated: “The council are saying people should be looked after in their own home – well Dennis never had that choice, he wanted to stay.” She continued: “But no, he had to sell it in order to pay for the costs for living in Thomas Colledge – where he’d thought he’d live for the rest of his life.” “I’m furious, I’m very saddened. It’s so unsettling for a 100-year-old man who does not know where his future lies.” “It’s very traumatic for anybody but to be 100 years old and to be told you’ve got to go somewhere else and leave friends behind that he’s made is unimaginable.” “I’ll continue campaigning [to keep] the home open until the very last member of staff has gone and the building has been declared closed.” Natalie Hoy, the council’s cabinet member for adult care, explained that the service required redesign due to insufficient demand for residential care, assuring that individuals would receive support throughout the transition. She informed the BBC that the council has received “significant interest” from private entities interested in operating the homes, many of which hold dual registration for both nursing and residential care. She stated: “By refocusing our services, to create wrap-around care for those with dementia and their carers, we can help even more Derbyshire residents live the life they want, in their communities, in familiar places among family and friends.” The care homes listed below are scheduled for closure and sale: * Clay Cross in Clay Cross * Florence Shipley in Shipley * Goyt Valley in New Mills * New Bassett House in Shirebrook * Parkwood in Alfreton * Southlands in Long Eaton * Thomas Colledge House in Bolsover * Whitestones in Bakewell Bennerley Fields in Cotmanhay is designated for repurposing, to be utilized solely for community support beds. Additionally, the following dementia day centres are slated for closure: * Alderbrook in Chinley * Blackwell in Blackwell * Ecclesfold in Chapel-en-le-Frith * Meadow View in Darley Dale * New Bassett House in Shirebrook * Parkwood in Alfreton * Southlands in Long Eaton * Thomas Colledge House in Bolsover * Whitestones in Bakewell The following facilities are set to remain operational: * Ada Belfield in Belper * Ashton Close in Ripley * Briar Close in Borrowash * Holmlea in Tibshelf * Morton House in Morton * The Spinney in Brimington * Walsingham Lodge in West Hallam Although these will remain open, an additional consultation will take place concerning the future function of: * Bennerley Fields in Cotmanhay * Florence Shipley in Shipley For updates, follow BBC Derby on Facebook, X, or Instagram. Story ideas can be submitted to eastmidsnews@bbc.co.uk or via WhatsApp at 0808 100 2210. Copyright 2024 BBC. All rights reserved. The BBC bears no responsibility for the content found on external sites. Information regarding our external linking policy is available for review.