Care home is set to close

The owners of Brooklands Care Home contacted Leeds City Council to say they were planning to close the home in the wake of Care Quality Commission reports.

Their plight has drawn sympathy from Otley and Yeadon councillor Sandy Lay.

He said: "I'm saddened that the owners have chosen to close the home following their Care Quality Commission inspections, sadly it is increasingly challenging for family led homes like Brooklands to jump through all the hoops necessary to provide safe, high quality care that, rightly, residents and their families now expect.

"I'm pleased to see that Leeds have supported the owners in attempting to find appropriate solutions but to no avail, and that they are now concentrating on supporting residents and their families in finding new accommodation. I'm hoping that this can be achieved quickly, with as little disruption as possible and to everyone's benefit."

The 27-bed home, which has 16 residents, is expected to close in three months.

Brooklands was placed into special measure in September after being judged inadequate.

Owner Mandy Jowett defended the home's standards and its reputation following the CQC report, stressing that the small independent provider had an emphasis on 'home from home'.

She said: "Over the years we have established an enviable reputation within the local community and the professionals we deal with."

She stressed residents had said they were happy living in the home and felt well cared for.