Family ‘devastated’ by Hampshire County Council plan to axe Solent Mead care home in Lymington

A LYMINGTON care home threatened with closure has been described as an “absolute lifeline”, as a petition to save the site gathers signatures.

Jane Godfrey, whose 86-year-old mother has spent the past four years at Solent Mead in Church Lane, said she would be devastated if it shut.

Hampshire County Council, which runs the site, has announced a shake-up of its care plans which would see the facility close by 2024 if the changes are approved.

Jane told the A&T the proposals had been “devastating news” and added: “The level of care [at Solent Mead] is off the scale.

“The staff are outstanding and it has such a homely environment; it is incredibly welcoming.

“It is very sad for the residents.”

Jane explained her mother – who has Alzheimer’s and vascular dementia – had initially used Solent Mead’s day centre, which she called “an absolute lifeline” for her father, who had been caring for her.

However, as her conditions progressed, she then went to Solent Mead for respite before moving in permanently four years ago.

Jane explained: “She is completely dependent on the care she receives and I am 100% happy that she is there.

“She sees familiar faces day in, day out, and we are very concerned about the impact of that if she has to move.

“Change is very difficult to deal with, particularly for those with dementia.”

She added: “I understand adult social care funding is an issue nationwide, and we have been assured by the council that they will work with us to find suitable new homes for residents – but what is suitable?”

The council says it needs to “transform and expand” the future of nursing and specialist care accommodation it provides for the county’s growing older population, which includes Solent Mead – rated 'good’ by the Care Quality Commission – along with another two care homes in Waterlooville and Bishop’s Waltham.

It plans to close a further five care homes across the county by 2026.

Cranleigh Paddock in Lyndhurst, which has been temporarily closed since 2021, would shut permanently.

Confirming the news at a meeting of Lyndhurst Parish Council on Tuesday, Cllr Edward Heron, who represents Lyndhurst on HCC, said: “I wanted to come and tell [the parish council] as I am sure a lot of residents will have questions about it and the site, and what will happen to it.

“Cranleigh Paddock was of benefit to Lyndhurst, and obviously the county council has to look at the money side of things but I want to assure you it will not simply be sold to the highest bidder.

“We would do our absolute utmost to find a local use for it and I think the most useful thing would be affordable housing, but that is a question to look at after a decision on the proposals has been made.”

HCC says it will invest £173m over the next five to six years, which includes building three new care homes in the county.

One would be in the New Forest, although the council has not specified a location.

However, it is not clear where residents would be moved to in the meantime.

The proposals will be considered at a meeting of the cabinet on 18th July ahead of a formal public consultation, which will run for 10 weeks from September.

Launched on Monday, the petition has more than 100 signatures so far. To sign, visit www.change.org/p/save-solent-mead-care-home-lymington-from-closure