On the 10th July 2023 at 17:00 hours, Hampshire county council released a dosier to public view stating that they are proposing a £173 million proposal to reform their care home structure for short term, long term and residential nursing care.

Part of this reform involves the permanent closure of Solent Mead Care Home located in Church Lane, Lymington, on the edge of the New Forest. The home, rated 'GOOD' by the 'Quality Care Commission', provides residential and nursing care for around 35 individuals, many with long term care needs, connections to the area and all of whom depend on the fantastic levels of care from the attentive staff. Residents state that they happy living at Solent Mead and enjoy the formation of friendships with other residents, most of whom thrive on familiarity and a feeling of security in the premises. The location also offers a regular day centre for the elderly and infirm providing also, much needed support for dementia sufferers and their carers. 

The proposal, which Hampshire county council claim to be in its early and uncertain stages, has already seen long term 'temporary' closures of other sites, which are unlikely to reopen due to all residents having been relocated, some, many miles from family members and regular visitors.

If the proposals are agreed upon by the appropriate HCC administrative body, they will implement the Closure of Solent Mead by the end of 2024/early 2025.

It has been proposed that residents and staff will 'eventually' relocate to a new building in the New Forest housing up to 98 residents. The time scale for completion of this building has loosely been set within a proposed 5 to 6 year period although at the time of writing there is currently no land ear-marked for purchase nor development of any suitable existing building in the area. It could be assumed therefore, that this will not come to fruition.

Please sign this petition now before the proposal reaches Public Consultation stage, to help our cause and to keep Solent Mead residents under the roof of where they live and call home.

Thank you.