A PUBLIC consultation has started on proposals to close four Hampshire County Council-owned care homes including one in Romsey.

Hampshire’s cabinet spokes-person for adult social care Anna McNair Scott gave the plans her backing last week and the 39-bed Nightingale Lodge is now likely to be bulldozed and replaced with an upmarket sheltered housing facility for the elderly.

Consultation on the controversial proposals started on Monday and will last for 12 weeks. If the plans are approved in November, Nightingale Lodge will be demolished and replaced with more modern facilities.

Unions are furious about the plans and Councillor Scott admitted it “wasn’t and easy” decision for her to make.

“I have considered carefully the case put forward and have decided that we do need to consult on the possible closure of four homes in order to take account of the changing needs and aspirations of older people,” said Councillor Scott adding: “This will be a difficult time for the residents, their families and staff at Nightingale Lodge and for those people who use the connected day services at Master House.”

Under the plans Nightingale Lodge residents will be temporarily moved to Fleming House at Eastleigh while the present site is demolished and redeveloped into what Hampshire County Council has labelled Extra Care Assisted Living.

An email sent to Romsey Advertiser on behalf of a staff member, who wished to remain anonymous, stated: “Staff were very shocked and upset at the meeting last week when they were told about the possible three months consultation. They felt like they were being patronised as everyone knows that the home will now close even though it is only supposed to be under consultation. At the meeting someone asked how many care homes had stayed open after the consultation processes and the answer was none.”

Romsey resident Pat Kelly said she is “surprised and disappointed” to hear about the plans.

Pat said her late mother lived at Nightingale Lodge for nine years and the staff at the Great Well Drive-based residential home were committed to the residents.

Attacking the plans Pat said: “To move these old people, many of them with dementia, all of them needing full time care, from their home which provides the necessary stability and routine, is shameful. I do hope the Unite union seeks legal advice on this proposal in order to try to save this essential resource for the old and infirm of this area.”

Pat is questioning HCC’s reasons for proposing to close Nightingale Lodge. She said that bearing in mind that the county authority has £400m in reserves why can’t this be spent on modernising Nightingale Lodge?

Pat also queries what provision will be made for dementia suffers at the new site if Nightingale Lodge is axed.