Victory for residents after plans to close two major care homes dropped

manchestereveningnews.co.uk:

Plans to close two major nursing homes in Salford have been dropped after a fierce campaign to keep the vital services.

Residents in Monica Court, Monton, and Astley Court, Irlam, were left worried after plans to close the facilities were announced at the end of May, with landlords ForHousing saying they were going to rehome tenants "over the coming years". Local councillors, trade union UNISON, MP Barbara Keeley, and Salford city mayor Paul Dennett all fought against the changes, with petitions being set up by residents and their families to halt the plans.

Today, June 20, residents have been given confirmation that the plans have been scrapped, after ForHousing met with Mr Dennett, Coun Hannah Robinson Smith, a local representative and executive member for social care, MPs, and council officers who all opposed the decision.

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ForHousing originally announced that they would "phase out" the two buildings as they "cannot meet the standards" they want to provide to tenants, with the homes primarily offering assisted living to frail, elderly, or vulnerable residents who need support due to physical, or mental health problems or learning difficulties.

They stated that the announcement meant no new residents would be moving into the buildings, but none of the existing tenants were being asked to leave their home immediately, although a review would be taking place in 12 months time to determine whether the closure would take place.

Colette McKune, CEO of ForHousing, said: “We have listened to the views of tenants and the community and understand their feelings about living at Astley and