Agenda item

To consider the following Notice of Motion (6 /24 ), submitted by Councillor Kemp

Saving Burman House Care Home 

Norfolk residents rate exceptionally highly, the care, compassion and commitment of all the Norsecare staff, who run Burman House Dementia Care Home. Our residents are pleading with their Borough Councillors, to do all we can, to save Burman House from impending closure by the County Council company Norse.

This Council is committed to supporting its residents and the Local Health and Care Economy in West Norfolk.

The closure of Burman House could see the loss of up to 30 local jobs, and worsen the shortage of Care Home, Respite and Convalescent beds in West Norfolk, placing additional pressure on the QEH.

Burman  House, in Terrington St John,  is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The residents benefit from the lovely gardens next to their rooms, which are all on the ground floor, in their unique rural setting. 

Burman House is owned by Norfolk County Council which has contracts with NorseCare.

This Council will therefore write to Norfolk County Council to ask it to intervene and permanently halt the closure of Burman House. 

It is understood  that a reason given for closure, is the dimensions of the rooms. So the addition of modular bathroom extensions  to each room, or other appropriate investment could be made.

It is understood that some residents are being planned to move to other NorseCare Homes, where the rooms are no bigger. This Council is aware a Care Home closure should only be a last resort as it causes such needless distress to residents. Our residents deserve better.

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Councillor Kemp proposed the following Notice of Motion (6 /24), seconded by Councillor Rose:

Saving Burman House Care Home 

“Norfolk residents rate exceptionally highly, the care, compassion and commitment of all the Norsecare staff, who run Burman House Dementia Care Home. Our residents are pleading with their Borough Councillors, to do all we can, to save Burman House from impending closure by the County Council company Norse.

This Council is committed to supporting its residents and the Local Health and Care Economy in West Norfolk.

The closure of Burman House could see the loss of up to 30 local jobs, and worsen the shortage of Care Home, Respite and Convalescent beds in West Norfolk, placing additional pressure on the QEH.

Burman House, in Terrington St John, is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The residents benefit from the lovely gardens next to their rooms, which are all on the ground floor, in their unique rural setting. 

Burman House is owned by Norfolk County Council which has contracts with NorseCare.

This Council will therefore write to Norfolk County Council to ask it to intervene and permanently halt the closure of Burman House. 

It is understood that a reason given for closure, is the dimensions of the rooms. So the addition of modular bathroom extensions to each room, or other appropriate investment could be made.

It is understood that some residents are being planned to move to other NorseCare Homes, where the rooms are no bigger. This Council is aware a Care Home closure should only be a last resort as it causes such needless distress to residents. Our residents deserve better.”

Councillor Heneghan proposed the following amendment, seconded by Councillor Bone. 

“Norfolk residents rate exceptionally highly, the care, compassion and commitment of all the Norsecare staff, who run Burman House Dementia Care Home. Our residents are pleading with their Borough Councillors, to do all we can, to save Burman House from impending closure by the County Council company Norse. 

This Council is committed to supporting its residents and the Local Health and Care Economy in West Norfolk. 

The closure of Burman House could see the loss of up to 30 local jobs, and worsen the shortage of Care Home, Respite and Convalescent beds in West Norfolk, placing additional pressure on the QEH. 

Burman House, in Terrington St John, is rated Good by the Care Quality Commission. The residents benefit from the lovely gardens next to their rooms, which are all on the ground floor, in their unique rural setting. Burman House is owned by Norfolk County Council which has contracts with NorseCare. 

This Council will therefore write to Norfolk County Council to ask it to intervene and permanently halt the closure of Burman House. 

It is understood that a reason given for closure, is the dimensions of the rooms. So the addition of modular bathroom extensions to each room, or other appropriate investment could be made

It is understood that some residents are being planned to move to other NorseCare Homes, where the rooms are no bigger. This Council is aware a Care Home closure should only be a last resort as it causes such needless distress to residents. Our residents deserve better.

This Council is committed to supporting its residents and the Local Health and Care Economy in West Norfolk.?It will therefore write (in the strongest possible terms) to Norfolk County Council and Norsecare to require assurances that: 

a.    going forward, the care needs and required support for the frail, elderly and vulnerable residents of this borough and their families and loved ones will be given paramount importance in any decision making and  

b.   this council will be consulted at an early stage and be part of the dialogue regarding any proposals for changes to the provision of care services (residential or otherwise) affecting its residents. 

The full amendment was not initially accepted by Councillor Kemp.

Councillor Long, ward member, spoke against the original Motion and the amendment stressing the need to improve the County’s care homes and maintain the dignity of its residents. He complimented the staff working in them.  He drew attention to new facilities being built in Bowthorpe and expressed the hope that such facilities be provided in the west.

Councillor Joyce spoke about the homes being used for other purposes. 

Councillors Dark, Moriarty, Rust, Squire, Sayers supported the amendment in order to provide better accommodation for the people of west Norfolk.

Councillor Parish made reference to properties being built in Hunstanton, and that the running of a care home was a business run on a financial basis.

Councillor Morley expressed concern about the term “in the strongest terms” in the motion which he did see as conducive to good working relations with the County Council.

Councillor Devulapalli drew attention to the fact that persons with dementia were susceptible to moving accommodation which could cause a decline in their condition.  She felt that the Council should express a strong view.

Councillor de Whalley drew attention to retain care home provision in the west, and Councillor Bone supported the amendment drawing attention to the loss of jobs at the home. 

Following the debate on the amendment Councillors Kemp and Rose accepted it, so making it the substantive motion.

Councillor Kunes drew attention to the fact that the Home needed updating 20 years previously.

Councillor Long drew attention to the fact that Norse were exploring new care facilities in west Norfolk before covid but had not come to fruition.  He was also not happy with the phrase “in the strongest terms”.

Councillor Rust thanked those staff at the home who were taking redundancy for their work, particularly those had worded through Covid, others were moving to other facilities.  She welcomed new facilities being built. 

In summing up Councillor Kemp made reference to her constituents contacting her about the closure.

On being put to the vote it was

RESOLVED:  That the amended Motion be agreed.

At 18:47 Council held a 10 minute recess.