Renewed efforts to reach Bryneithin care home solution

Vale of Glamorgan councillors are looking to reassure concerned parties that the best long-term decision will be made in relation to the future of Bryneithin care home, as negotiations are declared under way.

Bryneithin has been the focus of controversy since 2009 when the Conservative-led council of the time attempted to close the home but were defeated by a lengthy public and legal battle. Despite campaigners managing to save the home in the short-term, a block on new admissions has remained due to concerns that the accommodation is not fit for purpose and, though the home itself is treasured locally for being the only dementia care residence and also a listed building, the future of the property remains uncertain.

Currently the home’s only remaining resident, a 90-year-old woman with dementia, is looked after by a team of thirteen carers at an annual cost of £450,000. The local authority, which has since come under Labour control, would like to develop a new care village on the site, but can only do so if an agreement is reached with the current resident, while also facing pressure from local campaigners to ensure specialist dementia provision is central to any future decisions.

Councillor Stuart Egan, Vale council cabinet member for adult services, said: “We want to see Bryneithin kept as a site for the care of the elderly. At the moment we are considering whether it could be developed as an older person’s village. Obviously this would entail major work on the site and it would not be appropriate to undertake this while anyone is still in residence.

“However we are still at a very early stage in our plans and no decision has been made as to the future of Bryneithin. Any proposed development would be the subject of several reports and of course consultation with local people, including the current resident of the care home and her family.”