Wokingham Borough Council Announce Fosters Residential Care Home Consultation

Wokingham Borough Council has launched a 12-week consultation on the future of Fosters Residential Care Home.

Based in Woodley, Fosters has 35 beds and provides 24-hour accommodation and care for people who fall into the registration categories of frail, elderly and those with a diagnosis of dementia. The home has been in operation since 1964.

Whilst the highest standard of care and support is provided at Fosters, the physical environment of the building presently falls well below the standards required by the Care Standards Act (2000). Fosters is able to maintain its registration as the standards are not applied retrospectively. However, the facilities at Fosters do not enhance residents’ ability to retain independence; nor does Fosters offer en-suite facilities and bedrooms do not meet minimum requirements for room size.

Stuart Rowbotham, strategic director of commissioning, said: “Because of the age and poor condition of the building it will require substantial work in order to make sufficient improvements to bring it up to modern standards of accommodation. This work would not only cause considerable disruption to the lives of the residents but would also be limited in terms of what could be achieved.

“I feel that this is the right time to have an open and honest discussion with all concerned about the longer term future of the home. We do have an opportunity to offer a much better standard of accommodation to our older residents in the Borough, in a way that meets their needs and aspirations. At the same time we also recognise that the care and support at Fosters is greatly valued and held in high esteem by residents, their families and the local community.”

The consultation on Fosters will run from November 17 until February 8, 2012.