Care worker starts petition to stop 'devastating' care home closure

A determined care worker intent on fighting a decision to shut Spurr House care home in Bury has started a petition to halt its closure.

The respite care centre currently offers people temporary accommodation, as a break for carers but has been earmarked for closure by Bury Council, as part of a cost-cutting plan to save £13m in the council's adult social care budget, in response to government cuts.

Krisilia O'Neill, a care assistant at Spurr House had hoped to get at least 500 signatures to make the council rethink its decision, but to date (30 July) 979 people have signed her petition.

Krisilia O’Neill said in a passionate plea to the public on the Change.org website that she wanted "to stop the closure of another social care home in the Bury borough".

"There will only be 1 council run home if Spurr House closes. It will have a devastating effect on our elderly. Respite care is needed more than ever, to make funding cuts is just not a good enough reason.

“The local community need to have their say on this as not many even know about it! After the year this sector have had local councils should have realised we need these homes more than ever! Families need respite.

"People need to have a place to go in an emergency we take lots of rapid response. Where will the residents go? Staying at home is not an option for some. And a hospital is not the setting for most either they need homes like ours.”

Cllr Andrea Simpson, cabinet member for health and wellbeing said: "This was a really hard decision to make, especially as it affects the staff who work in those facilities. However, these proposals do not reduce the service provided to local residents - they are removing spare capacity from the system.

"We cannot as a council continue to pay for unused capacity, especially when the nature of care is changing and many more people want and choose to receive care in their own homes."

To sign the online petition, visit www.change.org/p/bury-council-stop-the-closure-of-spurr-house.