IT WAS recently revealed that dementia is now the country’s biggest cause of death, having overtaken heart disease.

With such a vivid indication of the impact of the ageing society in Britain, there’s clearly a huge need for specialist facilities to care for people who suffer from dementia.

In that light, the concern expressed today over plans to close a specialist dementia home in Holme Wood, Bradford, is perhaps understandable.

Indeed, any proposal with the potential to compromise the provision of dementia care must be scrutinised thoroughly.

We can only hope the Council’s ears are open to feedback received during the current consultation process and that decision-makers would be willing to reconsider should the strength of feeling and evidence against the closure turn out to be overwhelming.

At a time when the country’s elderly population is on the rise, it seems logical that the number of specialist dementia facilities not only needs to be maintained but should be increased significantly.

However, if it is the case that the home needs a large sum of money spending on it to bring it up to standard, it’s understandable that the Council is exploring its options in the current challenging financial climate.

If the facility does ultimately close, it’s absolutely vital that existing residents are found alternative accommodation that provides an equal level of specialist care.

As has been proved time and time again, the relocation of vulnerable elderly residents is a great upheaval and, if it cannot be avoided, must be handled with the utmost sensitivity.