The University of Birmingham has published a good practice guide to help councils deal with care home closures.
The Association of Directors and Adult Social Services (ADASS) and the University of Birmingham’s Health Services Management Centre commissioned the guide, entitled Achieving closure, which helps local authorities re-assesses and resettle older people in the event of a care home closing.
The guide stresses the important of not rushing into decisions and the difficulty of closing homes at short notice. ADASS president, Peter Hay, said the guide provided ‘purposeful clarity’ in the complicated area of care home closures.
‘For many years, we have used markets to help deliver care services,’ said lead author, Professor Jon Glasby.
‘While this can have real advantages, the use of markets also means we have to be ready for market failure.
‘Overall, the key message from the guide is that good practice takes time,’ said Professor Glasby.
‘Although this isn’t an exact science, my own view from looking at the evidence and at local practice to date is that local authorities need at least six months to do this well.’
