Leeds City Council must reconsider its plans to close one of the city’s residential care homes because of the “disastrous” impact on current residents and those needing care in future, UNISON says today (Thursday).
The council opened a 12-week consultation in January into the future of Knowle Manor Residential Home in Morley.
At a council meeting yesterday (Wednesday), approval was given to a proposed budget that includes the closure of Knowle Manor.
It is one of a number of ways the council is looking to address a budget shortfall of almost £60m by the end of 2024/25.
Knowle Manor is one of only three general care homes in the city, and the council has already announced plans to repurpose another (Dolphin Manor in Rothwell) into a ‘recovery hub’ to free up hospital beds.
The proposed closure would leave nowhere near enough provision for a city the size of Leeds, says UNISON.
The union is urging the council to explore other options to save money.
UNISON Yorkshire and Humberside regional organiser Brendan Cafferty said: “Leeds City Council, like many other local authorities across the country, is in an incredibly difficult financial position after 14 years of cuts to funding from central government.
“But that doesn’t mean cuts should be made without proper thought about their impact.
“Closing Knowle Manor might be a quick fix to get the council out of a financial hole, but it’ll be disastrous in the longer term. Leeds would be left with just one general care home. That will leave those most in need in the city at the mercy of the private sector.
“The council must reconsider.”
UNISON Leeds local government branch convenor in adult social care Stella Smales said: “The care offered at Knowle Manor is second to none.
“Moving vulnerable residents late in their lives can be hugely detrimental to their health and wellbeing.
“It shouldn’t be these vulnerable people who are made to suffer as a result of over a decade of cuts to local government funding by the Conservative government.”
