Ken Skates AM urges council to approve Corwen care home plans

Assembly Member Ken Skates is urging Denbighshire County Council to push through plans which will keep a ‘vital’ care home open and see services expanded and improved.

The Clwyd South AM wrote to the authority’s chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet more than a year ago to raise concerns over the possible closure of Cysgod-y-Gaer in Corwen.

Mr Skates this week said he hoped to see councillors proceed with proposals to keep the popular facility at the heart of the community and further develop it.

The Labour AM, who is based in Llangollen, said: “As Assembly Member for Corwen and the Dee Valley, I have previously expressed my concerns to Denbighshire Council about the affect the closure of Cysgod-y-Gaer would have on its residents, their families and the community as a whole.

“Following the recent closure of the public consultation programme, I have again contacted chief executive Dr Mohammed Mehmet to urge the authority to push forward with its preferred option – to develop a support hub at Cysgod-y-Gaer with residential and extra care facilities and outreach services.

“I know how key a role Cysgod-y-Gaer plays in serving our area – it is too vital a facility to lose. I have had representatives at the various public meetings which have been held and the strength of public feeling over this speaks volumes.

“I hope we soon see the council progress these plans and develop local care services for those who need them.”

Mr Skates said he would echo the concerns raised by his fellow Labour Assembly Member Ann Jones (Vale of Clwyd) over any possible private ownership of care homes.

Last year Mr Skates also wrote to Dr Mehmet to implore him to allow an elderly patient to remain at Cysgod-y-Gaer after the authority imposed a ban on new residents.

The lady was admitted to Cysgod-y-Gaer following eye surgery but was forced to look for somewhere else to live because of the policy, which was introduced amid uncertainty over the future of council-run care homes.

Fortunately, the authority subsequently reversed the decision and allowed her to stay.