'We will be there to fight for New Tyne' - Renewed hope that Worthing care home could be saved

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.

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.

“It's pretty brilliant news,” said Jo Keyse – whose 84-year-old auntie, Patricia Harlow, 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 added: “We’re pleased they are reviewing it again and, after all the letters that we sent, they're finally taking it seriously.

"At the first meeting, they thought it was all done and dusted.

“We got the impression from the meeting that the councillors had been given their information last minute.

"If we hadn't have put up this fight, it would have been done and dusted and the home was going to close – so hopefully there's a turnaround.

“Dementia is on the rise and having professional carers that know about dementia is a must.”

Pat’s great-niece Sarah Elliott said the family have ‘put our heart and souls’ into their campaign to save New Tyne. Their battle will continue, despite Pat’s passing.

"We were previously led to believe that we wouldn't be able to get a turnaround,” Sarah said.

“Even though Pat is no longer with us, we will continue to fight for New Tyne and if this gives us more opportunities to fight, we will be there.”

In the event of the care home’s closure, the council had 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 initial decision was made by councillor Amanda Jupp, cabinet member for adults’ services, following a ‘comprehensive review’. This 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’.

In an earlier interview, Jo and Sarah 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.”

Sarah said the care Pat received remained at the highest standard right up until she took her last breath.

Pat’s brother-in-law John said New Tyne is ‘such a wonderful home’ and the ‘best I've ever seen’.

The council said the call-in was accepted in light of ‘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,” a council spokesperson said.

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 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.