A row over plans by Lancashire Council to close more than 30 care
homes as part of a major shake-up of care for older people was
resolved at the 11th hour in the High Court this week.
The home closures were intended to ensure that all residents would
be moved to a new or refurbished home that met the new national
care standards within the next five years.
But lawyers representing 30 of the 1,000 care home residents who
would be affected by the closures over the next five years argued
that the council's plans violated their fundamental human
rights.
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However, the expected five-day hearing at the High Court was
avoided after last-minute negotiations led to an agreement,
sanctioned by judge Mr Justice Sullivan.
Judicial review challenges brought by private care home owners and
Chorley Borough Council were also withdrawn, following a statement
by Lancashire Council that it would carry out "systematic
individual assessments" before moving residents.
It also pledged that "wherever practicable" residents would remain
in homes in the areas where they currently lived and "will not be
moved more than twice".
