Woodlands care home will be closed

Campaigners have lost their fight to save a Cumbrian care home for dementia sufferers from closure.

The county council's scrutiny panel decided to uphold a decision to close Woodlands care home in Distington.

The campaigners had hoped the panel would agree that there were flaws in the consultation process.

Billy Gray said: "My father-in-law has been there eight and a half years and I have seen him go from a healthy fit and well elderly person to basically just a shell now.

"I really feel the worse for him I hope that if he is moved that he will survive it but to be honest with you I don't think he will."

Three councillors opposed to closure of Woodlands care home addressed the scrutiny committee today and set out seven flaws they believe were in the consultation process.

After three hours of deliberation and debate they agreed that they would support the original decision made by cabinet to close the care home. That decision was reached 5 to 1 with three abstentions.

Cumbria County Council's cabinet made the decision to close Woodlands last month. At the same time two other care homes in Workington and Aspatria also earmarked for closure were saved.

Campaigners say the closure of the care home, which looks after people with high level dementia, will be a loss to the community

Cllr Cam Ross said: "I'm very disappointed really, Woodlands is a specialised unit, historically it has looked after people with dementia etc over the years and has built up a good expert staff. I'm disappointed at least I would have hoped that we would have got it back into cabinet, a referral back to cabinet."

Cllr Frank Morgan added: "Extremely disappointed that they chose to follow that decision and my only concern is for the high level service and high level quality care that's been provided by Woodlands for local people."

Supporters and family are hoping they have enough time to see if they have any other options open to them.

Frank Hollowell said: "They have conceded there was a flaw in the consultation, we will certainly wish explore that and see if that gives us ground to take the campaign further in that direction."

Unless they find a way to keep it open the door will soon close on Woodlands for good.