Declares that the Petitioners are very disappointed by the ruling of the Conservative group of North Lincolnshire Council that they intend to close The Lilacs care home despite it being a manifesto promise of theirs to not do so.
The Petitioners therefore request that the House of Commons requests the Government to urge North Lincolnshire Council to rethink their decision and consider the impact that this closure will have on local residents.
And the Petitioners remain, etc.—[Presented by Nic Dakin, Official Report, 17 December 2013; Vol. 572, c. 712.]
[P001314]
Observations from the Secretary of State for Health:
Local authorities are responsible for commissioning social care services, including residential care, in their areas. Local authorities are autonomous public bodies and it is a matter for them to decide how best to meet the need for social care, including residential care, in their areas. It would not be appropriate for Government Ministers to intervene in such matters, provided of course that local authorities are acting lawfully.
Local authorities are entitled to review their direct provision of residential care and other services to ascertain whether they can achieve a higher quality of care and/or better value for money by commissioning services from independent providers.
Ministers appreciate how traumatic it can be for frail, older and vulnerable people who have to be moved from residential care homes. In considering changes where they are providing residential care directly, local authorities should ensure that, if care homes have to close and residents need to move, such moves are handled sensitively, with full account taken of the welfare and wishes of residents and staff of the homes concerned.