Care Homes Saved in Stoke

16 December 2003

CPS assisted in the development of an alternative to narrow sighted and wholscale residential care home closures. Stoke Council was considering a proposal for the closure of eight care homes in the city but now plans a programme of investment and modernisation, saving all but one home.

The decision will retain and improve the Council's capacity to deliver social care services and save much needed jobs in the City.

CPS had worked with Stoke UNISON and councillors to promote an alternative Best Value solution to privatisation and budget cuts. CPS first prepared a critique of the proposal for privatisation, budget cuts and care home closures.

CPS also worked with the UNISON branch, staff and councillors to develop and alternative Best Value report arguing for the retention of the homes and a programme of investment, modernisation and service improvement to meet the challenge of an ageing population and increased demand for social care in the future.

Mick Burrows, from Stoke UNISON, said the work of CPS had: "Helped to achieve a result that is second to none".

Brookwood home will still close under the plans, in a decision jointly agreed by UNISON and the City Council.