Hertfordshire County Council wants to close care home and sell the site

A care home in St Albans is set to close, after Hertfordshire County Council claimed it is ‘no longer economically viable’.

The council claims it is ‘having problems finding occupants’ for Jane Campbell House, a 54-room care home.

Currently residents have to use shared bathrooms however the council wants to put in en-suite facilities and claims it will be unable to do this in the present building.

The care home is run by Quantum Care which has a contract with the council.

However Hertfordshire's Liberal Democrats have accused the Conservative councillors at the County Council of failing to consult properly on the planned closure of Jane Campbell House in St Albans.

Lib Dem County Councillor Allan Witherick, said: 'Elderly residents and their careers have had next to no notice about the plans. The first they knew about this was on 16 January when carers were ‘consulted’ on the plans.’

‘The Conservative administration will be voting on the plans on 20 February. That's not a consultation - effectively, the meeting was advising people what was going to happen.’

He added: ‘I've heard that a number of carers moved their relatives into Jane Campbell House from homes with en suite accommodation.'

'I was told this was because it provided a better level of care, so I have to question why more time hasn't been spent engaging with the families concerned; the Conservatives must have known the home was at risk of closure for some time.’

Welwyn Councillor Malcom Cowan, is concerned that other care homes could be affected.

He said: ‘There is a danger that this won't be an isolated issue and that eventually it could affect other care homes right across Hertfordshire.’

‘We have sought assurances that the quality of care will be continued and that there's proper support during the transition arrangements. We know how valuable friendship groups can be and these, in particular, need to be preserved wherever possible.’