CARE homes in communities across Suffolk are set to close as the details of the privatisation of the county’s residential care is published today.

But the overall number of places in the homes is set to rise – and there will be more places for residents suffering from dementia.

Hadleigh, Ixworth, Wickham Market and Beccles are among the communities which will lose their own care homes as the county’s residential homes are handed over to Care UK.

The care homes and wellbeing centres will get �60million of investment, if proposed changes are approved by Cabinet at its meeting on 16 October.

Under plans developed by Care UK and officers from the county council, the existing 16 residential homes and eight community wellbeing centres would be replaced by ten new purpose-built homes and wellbeing centres.

The new facilities would make the most of advances in design and technology to ensure Suffolk people receive the best possible care.

The existing homes and wellbeing centres were built in the 1960s when peoples care needs were much different. Over the years the buildings have become less and less able to meet the changing needs of older and vulnerable people.

The number of older people in Suffolk aged 75 and over is expected to increase by 85% by 2030 and the number of older people with dementia is expected to increase by 100% in the same period.

The county says the new homes will see the number of specialist dementia beds increase to 680, with 370 contracted directly to the county council. This will help address the current shortfall in dementia care beds available in the county.

Colin Noble, cabinet member for health and adult care said: “Our commitment and focus to ensure we get the best possible care and facilities for Suffolk people, remains as strong as ever.

“By transferring our care homes and wellbeing centres to Care UK we will attract a significant amount of investment that otherwise would simply not be available. The most vulnerable in society deserve the very best we can provide them - this deal represents that.

“Before the Cabinet meets I will have fulfilled the commitment I made; that I would visit each of the care homes to discuss the proposals with residents and their relatives face to face.

“It has been extremely helpful to hear first hand the views of those in our homes – a lot have been positives, which is extremely encouraging.

“However, there were some concerns and we will continue to work hard to ensure that everyone is reassured about how the proposed changes will be managed.

“If Cabinet approve the proposed changes, each care home resident and attending a wellbeing centre will be allocated a social care worker to support them through the changes to ensure they continue to receive the care the need.”

All permanent members of staff will transfer to Care UK on their current terms and conditions. Staff and unions have been kept up to date throughout the process. This will continue as the project progresses.

The new homes will benefit from bigger rooms with en suite facilities and access to safe outside garden spaces. The homes will be homely and make the most of natural light.

As well as the new homes being built for the future care needs we know about, the homes will be flexible enough in layout and design to ensure that further changes in care needs can be met.

Home by home details:

Proposed plan for each home:

Angel Court, Hadleigh – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace Angel Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre in Ipswich, on the former site of Chantry Infant School on Aster Road, Ipswich.

Construction of the new home would begin in April 2013, with the new home opening in May 2014. Angel Court would close in June 2014.

Blyford, Lowestoft – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace Blyford Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Roman Hill Primary School, Love Road, Lowestoft.

Construction of the new home would begin in May 2013, with the new home opening in June 2014. Blyford would close in July 2014.

Crabbe Street, Ipswich – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace Crabbe Street with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre. Care UK is currently looking at a number of sites in Ipswich to identify the one which has the most potential for developing care facilities on it.

Construction of the new home would begin in September 2013, with the new home opening in October 2014. Crabbe Street would close in November 2014.

Davers Court, Bury St. Edmunds

To replace Davers Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the existing site.

Construction of the new home would begin in October 2013, with the new home opening in November 2014. Davers Court would close in October 2013.

Glastonbury Court, Bury St. Edmunds

To replace Glastonbury Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the existing site.

Construction of the new home would begin in January 2015, with the new home opening in February 2016. Glastonbury Court would close in December 2014.

Hawthorn Drive, Ipswich

To replace Hawthorn Drive will a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the former site of Chantry Infant School, Aster Road, Ipswich.

Construction of the new home would begin in April 2013, with the new home opening in May 2014. Hawthorn Drive would close in June 2014.

Ixworth Court, Ixworth

To replace Ixworth Court with the brand new purpose built residential homes and wellbeing centres on the sites of Glastonbury Court and Davers Court in Bury St. Edmunds.

Construction of the new home on the Davers Court site would begin in November 2013, with the new home opening in November 2014.

Construction of the new home on the Glastonbury Court site would begin in January 2015, with the new home opening in February 2016.

Lehmann House, Wickham Market

To replace Lehmann House with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of Mills Meadow Residential Home in Framlingham.

Construction on the new home would begin in April 2013, with the new home opening in April 2015. Lehmann House would close in May 2015.

Mills Meadow, Framlingham – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace Mills Meadow with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the existing site.

Construction of the new home would begin in April 2013, with the new home being completed in April 2015.

The new home would be built in two phases. Once the first phase is complete, residents will have the option to move in. They will not need to leave Mills Meadow.

Paddock House, Eye – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace Paddock House with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre. The county council is currently looking at a site in the area to enable Care UK to develop its facilities on.

Construction of the new home would begin in September 2013, with the new home opening in September 2014. Paddock House would close in October 2014.

Place Court, Haverhill

To replace Place Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Chalkstone Middle School, Millfields Way, Haverhill.

Construction of the new home would begin in June 2013, with the new home opening in June 2014. Place Court would close in July 2014.

Sidegate Lane, Ipswich

To replace Sidegate Lane with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre. Care UK is currently looking at a number of sites in Ipswich to identify the one which has the most potential for developing care facilities on it.

Construction of the new home would begin in September 2013, with the new home opening in October 2014. Crabbe Street would close in November 2014.

Stradbroke Court, Lowestoft – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace Stradbroke Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Roman Hill Primary School, Love Road, Lowestoft.

Construction of the new home would begin in May 2013, with the new home opening in June 2014. Stradbroke Court would close in July 2014,.

The Dell, Beccles – including Community Wellbeing Centre

To replace The Dell with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Roman Hill Primary School site, Love Road, Lowestoft.

Construction of the new home would begin in May 2013, with the new home opening in June 2014. The Dell would close in July 2014.

Wade House, Stowmarket

To replace Wade House with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre. Care UK is currently looking at a site in the town for developing their new care facilities on it.

Construction of the new home would begin in September 2013, with the new home opening in September 2014. Wade House would close in October 2014.

Wamil Court, Mildenhall

To replace Wamil Court with a brand new purpose built residential home and wellbeing centre on the site of the former Great Heath Primary School, St. John’s Close, Mildenhall.

Construction of the new home would begin in April 2013, with the new home opening in April 2014. Wamil Court would close in May 2014