I have today received confirmation that Derbyshire County Council plans to close Ladycross Care Home in Sandiacre.
In my view, the failure by successive Administrations at County Hall to properly invest in Local Authority care, especially in south Derbyshire, has led to a situation whereby we now have a number homes that are no longer fit for purpose.
Over the past five years, Erewash has borne the brunt of these short-sighted decisions, which have significant consequences for both residents and staff, in addition to our local NHS provision.
This sustained attack on our care homes in Erewash has to stop and I therefore put Derbyshire County Council on notice that I will fight them every step of the way, as I have previously done with both Hillcrest and Hazelwood, to stop this closure.
Instead Derbyshire County Council needs to go back to the drawing board and come up with a long-term plan for the care of elderly residents, not only in Erewash, but across the County.
I have already spoken to the Leader of Derbyshire County Council, Cllr Barry Lewis and the Chief Executive of Derby and Derbyshire Clinical Commissioning Group, Dr Chris Clayton, to communicate my concerns and will shortly launch my campaign to save Ladycross.