MARLFIELD, Alton’s only county council-run care home, is to become a specialist dementia centre – but at the expense of 34 beds, including the home’s entire nursing provision, the Herald understands.

Staff at the Gilbert White Way home have been informed of Hampshire County Council’s plans to close 34 beds – including all dedicated nursing beds, and almost half of Marlfield’s total number of 73 beds.

But the wider public will not be consulted, only “a range of stakeholders” beginning this summer.

Hampshire says the changes reflect “the significant and growing demand for specialist support for those with dementia” over nursing beds.

Alton’s Conservative county councillor has commended “major improvements” planned at Marlfield, the town’s only county council-run care home, in the face of strong criticism by Labour.

Cllr Andrew Joy, who is again standing for election in Alton Town on May 6, said: “Care needs have been changing significantly in recent times so major improvements being considered for Marlfield is great news.

“The home’s current demand for nursing and residential care is being accommodated separately over the two floors of the nursing wing, now providing en-suite facilities to all.

“Built 50 years ago, the residential wing would require upgrading to higher modern standards so Hampshire Adult Services are planning to transform the facility, addressing and adapting to the growing demand for specialist dementia care. This recognises that much care now takes place at home or in Extra Care accommodation.

“I am delighted that we are to benefit from this early initiative in Adult Services’ strategic forward planning.”

But leader of East Hampshire’s Labour group, Cllr Paula Langley, urged the Tory-led council to reconsider.

She said: “The loss of these non-private beds would be a disaster for Alton residents, potentially separating people in need of nursing care from their loved ones.

“You may have lived and worked in Alton all your life, paying taxes and contributing to the town, only to be sent away for care when you need it most. We want a council which invests in services for the elderly and most vulnerable residents in our town.

“This must also inevitably lead to job losses for nurses and carers in Alton – another blow to the local job market.

“That there is no public consultation on such an important matter shows an unwillingness by Hampshire to engage with the people it is supposed to serve.

“We urge them to reconsider and start a dialogue with residents and town representatives immediately.”

District councillor for Wooteys, Stephen Dolan, also commented that the loss of beds would be a “huge blow to Alton” and its ageing population.

“To potentially leave a town this size with zero affordable care home provision would be a disgrace,” he continued. “How can this be justified socially or morally?”

Hampshire – which only revealed its plans publicly a week before the May 6 county elections after being questioned by the Herald – has not given a timescale for the changes, and was at pains to say “no final decisions have been made”.

And on the limited consultation, Cllr Joy added: “For very robust reasons it would be both irrelevant and inappropriate for there to be public consultation on operational service delivery designed to meet evolving demands.”

Hampshire County Council confirmed it has written to the families and carers of Marlfield residents, as well as to staff, to explain the changes.

A spokesman added the home’s conversion to “a specialist dementia care centre” would enable those living with the condition to be “looked after by expert teams – at all stages of their care journey”.

But they said it “would not affect the care provided to residents, currently at the home”, adding: “It is important to emphasise that no final decisions have been made.

“Whatever the final outcome, the county council will continue to ensure any local Alton resident with eligible care needs is supported with decisions about the most appropriate care options for their individual needs.”