A NORTHWICH care home is at risk of permanent closure following Cheshire West and Chester Council's review of adult social care services.

As part of the meeting of its cabinet next week (June 9) the council will consider the review into the future of several short term or respite care homes across Cheshire, with three under threat.

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One of those at risk is Leftwich Green, which has been temporarily closed since September 2018 following safeguarding concerns, with a report recommending it not to re-open and saving around £600k each year.

At the time of the closure, staff at the 31-bed facility were transferred to Sutton Beaches care home where they undertook intense re-training in all aspects of care, with many since leaving the employment of the authority.

Since the temporary closure almost three years ago, Vivo's Davenham Day Service has been using the home, but work is already underway to find a more suitable location for that service.

The council say £466k maintenance spending is required to bring Leftwich Green up to a suitable standard, including a new boiler, replacement windows and a new fire suppression system.

With other works not factored into that figure, it is likely costs would even exceed that amount, with remodelling work also required as well as other basic improvements needing to be made.

As a result of the temporary closure, Adult Social Care services has made in-year savings of £600k in the last financial year, which has contributed towards the delivery of the service's 2020-2021 approved policy option savings.

This saving will only be achieved on a permanent basis if closure of the facility is approved.

As part of the review into its services a consultation exercise was held with service users, families, carers and staff about how short term services can be provided in the future.

The councils intention for Leftwich Green is that the site would be re-developed for other purposes for the benefit of the people of Northwich.

As well as the services at Leftwich Green, those provided at Sutton Beeches in Ellesmere Port and Curzon House in Saltney are also being recommended for closure.

The report also recommends the cabinet rubber stamp the re-investment of £588k for the purchase of short term/respite care services for older people and their carers.

It goes on to explain how releasing the resources currently committed to operating the three council-owned facilities will enable investment in a broader range of short term/respite care services and contribute to the budget growth required to sustain Adult Social Care services across the borough.

This will deliver against the Council’s commitment to achieve value for money and to innovate to make a positive difference.

Since the temporary closure of Leftwich Green in 2018 the council say there has been no negative feedback received and no increase in demand for building based short term/respite care in the Northwich area.

The cabinet will consider the recommendations contained in the report at its meeting on Wednesday, June 9.