A DECISION on the proposed closure of two care homes – one in Chester and another in Ellesmere Port – will now be made next month.

Councillors were due to rule on the plans to permanently shut Sutton Beeches in Great Sutton and Curzon House in Saltney today (Wednesday, July 9).

However, the agenda item was deferred until next month's cabinet meeting.

Cheshire West and Chester Council is seeking approval for what it describes as "an improved model for short term respite care services".

In January, the authority ran a targeted consultation exploring the potential move away from traditional building-based adult short term respite care.

The council proposal is to move towards a model that offers a wider range of services, promoting greater choice and flexibility for service users to enable them to receive support closer to home or within their local community.

Respite is an important service for carers as it gives them a much-needed break and helps the people that they care for.

The local authority currently delivers some of its respite services from council-owned residential care homes at Sutton Beeches in Great Sutton, Curzon House in Saltney, Chester, which temporarily closed in September 2018, and Leftwich Green in Northwich.

The new model proposes their permanent closures.

As a result service users and carers would be offered a range of options including:

  • A direct payment for service users to receive a funding to arrange their own support to be delivered in their own homes or in a residential home of their choice either in the local community or near to a family member.
  • Access to block booked short term/respite care beds in independent sector care homes.
  • Having care delivered in someone else’s home. This is known as Shared Lives, which focusses on providing a flexible, person centred service and encourages people to remain independent.

The council will bring forward proposals for alternative uses for the three care home sites, including opportunities for housing and support for local people, if the closure plans are approved.