Olton care home to be closed and rebuilt in south of borough - The Solihull Observer

Olton care home to be closed and rebuilt in south of borough

Solihull Editorial 28th Feb, 2016 Updated: 21st Oct, 2016   0

ELDERLY care home residents are having to find somewhere else to live after an order was given to tear down their current Olton home and rebuild it.

Due to the age of Brookvale Care Home, which houses 22 residents, the decision has been taken to demolish it and make an investment in building a brand new home elsewhere in the borough.

The current residents are now having to be reclocated to alternative care homes sourced by their families or the Council.

A number of families have expressed concerns about the availability of other homes and the affect the move would have on the residents at Brookvale.




Solihull Council decided to approved the closure of the home, which is 44-years-old, last Tuesday (February 16).

Despite the quality of the care by staff being high, the current building no longer meets modern standards.


A survey of the current building showed more than £2million of improvements was needed, over the next ten years, to make the building for purpose.

Given concerns over the age, design and configuration of the building the Council believed the investment would result in poor value for money.

The most recent Care Quality Commission inspection report into the home, published last year, even highlighted concerns with care affected by the design and layout of the building.

After a consultation with residents and their families on proposals to close Brookvale the decision was made to find alternative accommodation for the existing residents and invest in the development of a new home elsewhere in the south of the borough.

Of the ten people who responded, most accepted the building was outdated and also highlighted the many positives about the quality of care provided by staff.

Coun Ken Meeson, who is responsible for health and wellbeing, said they appreciated the closure would create a number of concerns for current residents.

“Although we have had messages of support from some of the families involved. It is not a proposal we have put forward lightly.

“The welfare of residents is of paramount importance and residents are being supported to find alternative services that best meet their needs – indeed several have already successfully done so.

“The constraints of the existing building mean that even with refurbishment it would have been extremely difficult to meet modern standards and provide people with a service that offers them the best quality of life and maintain maximum dignity and respect. ”

He added through the sale of the site they would be able to make a significant investment in a brand new home which responds to the hopes, aspirations and care needs of current and future service users who are growing in number.

It is hoped the new home will be opened in early 2018.

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