RELATIVES of the residents at Bryneithin Care Home were celebrating this week, after winning a legal challenge to the Vale Council to keep the home open.
Vale of Glamorgan Council cabinet members agreed to shut the 19-bed facility in December, angering relatives of the 12 remaining residents, who had hoped for a reprieve.
The Dinas Powys home was deemed ‘unfit for purpose’ by the Council, but the Keep Bryneithin Open Group hired a solicitor to fight the decision.
The remaining residents were due to be re-located to Ty Dyfan home in Barry, but the legal victory, on the grounds that the closure represented a breach of contract, means that the home will be maintained to Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales standards for the current permanent residents - but not for respite or temporary care.
Sylvia Bowen, of the Keep Bryneithin Open Group and whose mother Kathleen Cooke is a resident, said: “It’s still taking time to sink in, but after 16 months of campaigning we’ve finally got what we wanted for the residents.
“Our solicitor has been battling the council over breach of contract.
“The contract is only terminated on death or if the home no longer meets their needs, which it most definitely does.
“It’s a wonderful place and we’re over the moon that the residents can stay," she added.
“It is still worrying that the home will close one day, and I can’t see the problem with continuing to allow respite care.
“People are still crying out for temporary beds and respite patients only need one or two weeks care.
“But we’re just so relieved that our relatives can stay there.”
Dinas Powys-based Plaid Cymru AM, Chris Franks, has backed the campaigners and was pleased with the decision - but Mr Franks slammed the Vale Council for denying other services at the home.
"I'm delighted for the residents of Bryneithin care home, their families and the the campaigners that it will remain open," he said.
"They have fought hard and deserve all the credit possible.
"However, I'm far from happy that the Vale Council is planning to withdraw other services such as the valued Crossroads respite care from Bryneithin. "That is, frankly, crazy.
"You could have the ludicrous position of one of the residents living alone in a vast building which is not being used for any other purpose. And clearly it will not be best use of council resources if only part of the home is used."
Vale AM, Jane Hutt, also expressed concerns.
She said: “I hope the council will consider using the home for temporary and respite residents to meet the widespread need for these services in the Vale of Glamorgan, whilst new services are developed.”
However, while Philip Evans, director of social services, confirmed the home would remain open for existing residents, he reiterated the council stance on respite care.
He said: "Upon legal advice regarding a potential challenge to the council on a contractual issue, the council has confirmed that Bryneithin Residential Care Home will remain open for the current permanent residents should they wish to remain.
"Ty Dyfan will continue to be an option for the current residents and will remain available to them unless it is fully occupied or unable to meet their needs.
"However, the council will close Bryneithin to, and not admit, any new residents, including temporary or respite.”
