A CARE home has been earmarked for closure as part of a major shake-up of provision.

Cumbria County Council is proposing to close Marsh House in Victoria Road, Ulverston, and move residents elsewhere.

Meanwhile those in Coombe House, on Walney, are also set to move to a new state of the art home in Barrow.

It follows the construction of the new home, and the ongoing refurbishment of Elmhurst care home in Ulverston which is due to be completed in February.

The council will formally launch a new consultation on care home provision – which could also see seven homes in Copeland and Carlisle close – on Wednesday. The council plans to replace them with a new £6m facility.

It says the move will dramatically improve the quality of care available for those with conditions like dementia, while those with less complex needs will be cared for in their own homes.

It stresses that no staff will lose their jobs. Instead they will transfer to the new premises, alongside existing residents.

Beth Furneaux, cabinet member for health and social care, said: “This consultation is about the modernisation of Cumbria Care, making it fit for the future and meeting the expectations of an ageing population who want to live independently for as long as possible.

"Unusually here in Cumbria, unlike many other authorities, we have chosen to continue to invest, and indeed invest heavily, in improving our care services including a programme to replace our older care homes. This is an investment of over £22m, taking account of the refurbishment of Elmhurst, the development of Park View Gardens, in Barrow, and the proposed new homes in Whitehaven and Carlisle.

“But to make these improvements and provide state of the art care homes and care support will mean that some of our older buildings are no longer needed, and could eventually close.

"This consultation is an opportunity to hear what our residents and their families want and a chance for the people of Cumbria to tell us about what care services they would want in the future."

Long term, she added, the aim is to care for those with less complex needs in their own homes, using modern technology and so-called "reablement" services to help people stay independent for longer.

The council is also looking to provide more extra care housing schemes, where residents have their own flats but with care provided on site, which can be gradually stepped up as their needs change. As a result there won't be the same demand for residential care, explained Ms Furneaux. "We are committed to providing the best possible services we can to an aging population, focusing particularly on those with the most acute, complex needs," she said. "People tell us they want to stay at home if at all possible and we are investing in lots of services and technology to help them, but there will always be a need for some residential care." Long term she said they would aim to do something similar in other districts, but more funding would be needed. Before any changes are finalised, the county council will first consult fully with residents, families and staff. She said the People First advocacy service will be supporting residents and familes, and they have also had talks with trade unions.

The consultation opens on Wednesday and runs until December 23. Click here for details.