Hampshire County Council is submit plans to close seven older style care homes as it seeks to upgrade its residential and nursing services.

The plans, which also include building three new care homes and modernising and expanding three existing homes, will be presented to the council’s cabinet on 8 February.

A spokesperson for Hampshire County Council said: “With an ageing population, we know that the demand for social care is only going to grow in future, particularly for those with complex nursing needs and complex, long-term conditions such as dementia.

“We are one of the very few local authorities in England to continue to run a network of care homes and we want to be able to offer local people the very best care accommodation in facilities that are modern and comfortable, providing the highest levels of personal dignity at all times.

“Should the final decision, be to close the homes, expert dedicated social care support would be provided to assist those residents affected and their families to find alternative, suitable accommodation within close proximity of the existing homes.”  

The moves, which follow a 10-week public consultation from September to November, will mean the council will provide 100 more beds at 13 homes.