Derbyshire County Council shut care homes across the county without considering the full impact the closures would have, according to the national equalities watchdog, says UNISON.
The Equality and Human Rights Commission has raised concerns there was no assessment of the impact axing care homes and day centres might have on unpaid carers, the majority of whom are women.
Derbyshire County Council shut eight care homes and five day centres in November 2024. UNISON says the closures slashed respite care and other support carers and families relied on.
UNISON East Midlands regional organiser Dave Ratchford said: “Derbyshire County Council’s consultation over the cuts was simply not up to scratch. The rushed process meant women carers were ignored.
“The equalities watchdog is clear the council failed to consider the full impact of the closures.”
UNISON Derbyshire branch secretary Martin Porter said: “People across Derbyshire have been denied access to vital support and respite care because of the council’s flawed consultation.
“Sadly, the watchdog’s findings come too late for more than 100 staff facing redundancy, and for the families who’ve lost the support.”
Notes to editors:
– UNISON is the UK’s largest union, with more than 1.3 million members providing public services in education, local government, the NHS, police service and energy. They are employed in the public, voluntary and private sectors.
