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Company vows to fight for future of home

Michael Byrne
28/ 3/2006

A HOME that looks after people with mental health problems is facing closure.

The future of Oaklands House, Firgrove, which is home to nine people who suffer from learning difficulties or mental health problems, will be discussed at a Rochdale Council commissioning board tomorrow (Thurs).

The board has been called after council staff raised concerns about the home. Their review recommends the home should close.

Paul Beardmore, Rochdale Council's head of strategic housing, said: "Rochdale Council has a large number of serious concerns about the standards of provision that have been in place at Oaklands House."

Staff, who help the people living there with washing, cooking, shopping and with taking their medication, also take residents to appointments they have at the John Elliott Unit at Birch Hill Hospital.

The home opened three years ago with a contract from Rochdale Council and is run by Julie Thompson through her company, Fix Anchor.

Mr Beardmore refused to say what the concerns were. But Ms Thompson has vowed to challenge the review's findings.

She said: "We will fight this all the way.

"All the people living here are happy and two of them are going on to live independently.

"This shows we are doing our job in helping the residents live independently.

"We've been open for three years and if there were concerns about the services we're providing then social workers would have brought them up before now."

The commissioning board will discuss the recommendation and advise councillors and senior officers on what action they should take next.

Mr Beardmore said: "Rochdale Council would ensure that residents of Oaklands House were found suitable alternative accommodation and support at other locations within the borough."