This petition urges Gloucestershire County Council to carefully review the longer term impacts of potentially closing Orchard House Nursing Home, rather than looking at the short term consequences of Covid which has understandably placed enormous economic strain on both the local and national economies. 

During the pandemic the staff at Orchard House showed extraordinary resilience and determination to look after the residents within their care. Time and time again at relatives' meetings an enormous and unanimous amount of support and gratitude was shown towards the staff for their outstanding care given to the residents.

Having spent a 30 year professional career, which included visiting elderly clients in nursing homes, the staff at Orchard House are the best I have ever seen. To close the home would break up this extraordinary team, which I view as a model for how successful homes should be run.

It may not have en suite bathrooms, but a successful conversion would ensure the home would compete with the most modern ones. Orchard House is strategically placed in the rapidly expanding community of Bishops Cleeve and would take into account the demographic age structure, where demand for care will increase over the next 20 years.