A WELLINGTON councillor says he feels the town is 'under attack' after a number of care services announced closures.

Wellington Town Council met for its October meeting on Monday night (October 2) to discuss the announcement Popham Court Care Home would be closing its doors.

Tim Baverstock, head of commissioning for adult social care at Somerset County Council, joined the elected members to discuss the closure of more than 50 care home beds in the town.

Somerset Care, which runs Popham Court Care Home, which consists of Popham House and The Court, announced last month the home would be closing at the end of November.

Dr Jane Townson, chief executive of Somerset Care, said the closure was a 'last resort' after the home face financial losses.

She said work would be done to ensure all residents found alternative homes.

Tim Baverstock, in charge of commissioning adult care for Somerset County Council, said he understood residents’ shock over the news of the closure.

“It wasn’t our decision and I understand how it came as a shock to the people of Wellington,” said Mr Baverstock. “We own the buildings but Somerset Care is an independent business who lease them from us. They had a poor Care Quality Commission Report and occupancy levels were not high enough for the facility to cover its operating costs.

“Across the board we have more beds in care homes than are being filled. And that’s because people are staying in their own homes much later in life, through their own choices and due to funder policies. The old anecdotes about people driving themselves to a home and checking in; that just doesn’t happen anymore.”

But the new blow to the town's services was too much for one member, who fears a 'huge hole' in Wellington's provisions risks making older people isolated.

Councillors said they understood the financial pressures but were unhappy with the future situation.

“It leaves a huge hole in the provision of services for people in Wellington,” said Cllr Andy Govier. “There’s a real risk that older people become isolated from family and friends if they are forced to move a considerable distance from Wellington by a closure like this.

“It feels like the town is under attack. The community hospital inpatient ward is closed temporarily, we’re losing the Popham beds and now Stratfield House is going.

“I want to ensure that people who have lived in this town their whole lives have a chance to stay close to their loved ones in later life.”

Stratfield House, a day centre for elderly people with mental health needs ran by Somerset Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, is set to close at the end of January 2019.

Stratfield House currently provides care for 20 clients who use the centre up to five day each week. It employs four full time and two part time staff.

The inpatient ward at Wellington Community Hospital closed in August for urgent repairs to be carried out.