'Significant new information' - Decision to close Worthing care home to be reviewed again
The decision to close a Worthing care home has been called-in by councillors.
New Tyne care home, in Durrington Lane, Durrington, is managed directly by West Sussex County Council and currently supports 13 older people with dementia.
Despite a petition – signed by more than 2,200 people – West Sussex County Council announced on October 29 that it will cease providing services at the home.
The council planned to support existing residents into alternative care and staff into alternative employment. This was ‘part of a move to ensure the long-term viability of adult social care in the county’.
The council said the decision was made by councillor Amanda Jupp, cabinet member for adults’ services, following a comprehensive review which included scrutiny by members of the health and adult social care scrutiny committee and the opportunity for residents’ families, staff and UNISON to have their views represented.
However, the cabinet member decision will now be reviewed again after councillors submitted a call-in request – which has been accepted by West Sussex County Council.
A county council spokesperson said: "The call-in was accepted because significant new information – specifically the feedback gathered during the recent period of representation and engagement – was not available when the decision was initially reviewed by the Health and Adult Social Care Scrutiny Committee (HASC) in September.”
After the proposal to close the home came to light, campaigners Jo Keyse and Sarah Elliott spoke passionately to the Worthing Herald on behalf of their 84-year-old auntie, Patricia Harlow – who was looked after at New Tyne.
Patricia, who was affectionately known as Pat, sadly died on Tuesday, November 4 – six days after the county council’s announcement that it would close.
Jo and Sarah – joined by Pat’s brother-in-law John – told this newspaper that their loved one’s death spared the even greater heartache, which would have come with moving her to a new home.
Jo said: “This is their home and they're vulnerable. They're just going to be moved on but they don't know where.
"Auntie Pat has passed away now – we thank God she didn't have to go through all that.”
John said New Tyne is ‘such a wonderful home’ and the ‘best I've ever seen’.
Sarah said the care Pat received remained at the highest standard right up until she took her last breath.
To the family’s delight, the decision to close New Tyne will now be reviewed again by the HASC at its meeting on Friday, November 21.
The council added: “The committee will consider the original published decision report, the reasons for the call-in, and the proposed outcomes.
“HASC will also review a petition concerning New Tyne, submitted by UNISON, which successfully met the required signature threshold for committee consideration.”
The meeting will be available to watch via webcast on the county council’s website.
A West Sussex County Council spokesperson said: “We understand this period of uncertainty is difficult for all concerned and our priority, whilst ensuring that all democratic processes are followed, is to continue to support the residents and staff impacted by this decision.”
If HASC supports the original decision, the decision will come into effect from the end of the meeting, and implementation will begin from Monday, November 24.
If the committee recommends changes or withdrawal, these will be considered by the cabinet member, whose subsequent decision will be final.