A county councillor fears a controversial overhaul of north and west Cumbria’s NHS will put extra pressure on care services.

Whitehaven councillor Christine Wharrier, who previously worked in the NHS, called for more joined up thinking.

The Success Regime’s long term aim is to reduce hospital beds and care for more people at home but Mrs Wharrier is worried social care will not be able to cope.

Just a week after that masterplan was published, Cumbria County Council yesterday announced its own separate consultation on the future of care homes in Carlisle and Copeland.

It wants to close a total of seven homes and replace them with a new £6 million home in each district, focusing on caring for those with the most specialist needs such as dementia. Overall its care beds would reduce, with more people instead being looked after at home.

Mrs Wharrier is pleased that the care home changes will aim to ensure people remain independent for longer, but is worried about the pace of change and how the two separate plans fit together – especially when social care are already struggling to fill vacancies.

“It looks like health and social care are still working in isolation of each other. A reduction in beds in the hospitals may force more people into the community care that is already stretched to its limits,” she said.

Speaking about the care home plan, she added: “This is really part of the future programme of people remaining independent longer.

“It must be done slowly with health services having a more holistic approach. Copeland is the only area staffed mainly by locum social workers leading to instability in the service.”

The homes affected in Copeland are Brackenthwaite and Pow Beck in Whitehaven, Castle Mount in Egremont and Dentholme at Cleator Moor. In Carlisle it is Elizabeth Welsh House in Harraby, Langrigg House in Morton and Petteril House, Old Harraby.

Although the plan will see beds reduce, the county council stresses that none of those affected have high occupancy rates.

Beth Furneaux, cabinet member for health and social care, said all the buildings are dated and in need of upgrading. They have therefore come up with a £12m investment plan to create brand new modern facilities for those with the most complex needs.


Related: Care homes could close across Cumbria


No jobs will be lost as staff from the existing homes will be transferred alongside current residents to the new centres.

The council will officially launch its consultation tomorrow.

The People First mediation group has been lined up by the council to work alongside residents and their families.

Those living at Whitehaven’s Pow Beck care home and their families are to attend a consultation meeting on Thursday, October 6 with a senior member of the county council to discuss options.

Full details of the plans and how to have your say will be online at www.cumbria.gov.uk from tomorrow.

If approved, the changes are likely to take place in 2018.