Leicester to close homes

Leicester city council announced last month that it will close up to eight of its care homes over the next three years due to low occupancy. Last year (CCMn March 2012) the council said it needed to change the way its care services were provided due to declining resident numbers and increased demand for homecare packages. Following public consultation last year, the council contacted more than 350 care organisations to gauge whether they would be interested in running the homes, which currently accommodate just over 160 people. However, with next to no interest and little prospect of some of the homes being sold, the council said it may be forced to take the tough decision’ to close them. The council warned that its own care homes are more expensive to run than the equivalent offered by independent organisations.