West Sussex care home sparks controversy

A CARE home closure has sparked controversy after it shut its doors 19 months after a council admitted it was failing residents’ needs.

Woodhall Care Home on Friston Walk shut its doors at the end of March, and the site’s future is now ‘under consideration’ by owner West Sussex County Council.

But in August 2007 the council said the home, which at the time cared for 15 adults with learning difficulties, had unsatisfactory wheelchair access, was not designed for disabled people, and lacked privacy.

The council also revealed that it had put on hold plans to replace the home with a block of specially-designed flats for the residents.

Ifield resident and political campaigner Richard Symonds fears the land could end up in the hands of private developers. “It’s like selling the family silver,” he said.

A spokesman said plans to rebuild specially designed flats on the site were frozen after a planning application was rejected.

A council spokeswoman said: “After the planning application was refused for the purpose built flats due to highway access on the Crawley site, individual solutions were looked at for each of the residents still residing at Woodhall.

“A full consultation process was undertaken with each resident and their family member to find the right alternative provision, which naturally does not have a time limit.

“The residents were assessed by a care manager and suitable accommodation ranging from residential to supported living found for them.

“Many residents remained living in West Sussex, but a number moved to other areas to be closer to their relatives.”

County council leader Henry Smith insisted the site was unlikely to be sold.

He said: “We’re not looking to sell that site off. I will expect it will be used again for the accommodation of people with learning difficulties.”