20 care homes are to close in Devon - putting one thousand jobs under threat and leaving hundreds of vulnerable young adults with an uncertain future.
A Devon County Councillor says money wasted on its marketing and PR budget should be used to save care homes in the county.
20 residential homes, and 17 day care centres are to close in a bid to save more than ten million pounds but Liberal Democrat, Richard Younger-Ross, says the cuts are being made by the Conservative run council in the wrong areas.
Jeff Welch reports.
Twenty care homes are to close in Devon - leaving hundreds of vulnerable and elderly residents facing an uncertain future. The decision will leave the county with only two specialist units to treat dementia. Richard Lawrence reports.
20 care homes are to close in Devon - that's all but two across the county.
One thousand jobs are under threat, and it leaves hundreds of vulnerable young adults with an uncertain future.
Trade Union UNISON has vowed not to allow the decision made by Devon County Council to go unchallenged, as the Council votes to close 20 Adult Residential Care Homes.
– Steve Ryles, Devon County UNISON Branch SecretaryThis decision comes after months of campaigning by UNISON, meetings with Councillors and our members and today we learn that these crucial front line services and the vulnerable adults the Council are there to protect are to be left with an uncertain future and our valuable public service employees left without jobs.
Many of the vulnerable adults within these homes live in remote rural areas, they are now faced with a huge upheaval which will see them ripped away from the communities where they have lived for many years.
– Joanne Kaye, UNISON South West Regional SecretaryThis shameful decision made by Devon County Council is yet another shocking example of the devastating cuts being placed on the shoulders of the most vulnerable people in our society, these vulnerable adults are likely to face confusion and anxiety about todays announcement and the Council will be left without a valuable and crucial service.
It is clear that the Council had already made their minds up, they had a strategy in their sights. The hard working front line staff that now face redundancy is just shocking news.
20 care homes are to close in Devon - putting one thousand jobs under threat and leaving hundreds of vulnerable young adults with an uncertain future.
Only two homes will remain in the county - specialist dementia units in Torrington and Newton Abbot.
The county council finally agreed the cuts today after months of consultation.
There has been widespread opposition to the proposals.