TALKS with the trade unions are now underway over the redevelopment of the Sidney Gale care home site in Bridport.

Up to a dozen residents will be found new homes prior to the buildings being demolished and the site redeveloped as a reablement and rehabilitation ‘hub’ for the area.

Care Dorset boss Chris Best said there had been problems with the outdated building for more than a decade with the poor condition resulting in only 17 out of the 44 places able to be used since 2022.

Mr Best told Dorset councillors that a full briefing about the future plans had been carried out in Bridport with residents, their relatives and staff  - with the business now engaging with the three trade unions which were recognised by Care Dorset.

He said that for some resident the closure of the home was likely to mean a move to another facility to be closer to family with full support being offered, which he said would be a positive outcome.

Mr Best said the decision to cease existing services at Sidney Gale House had been accepted with Care Dorset and the unions now “focusing on supporting staff through the rest of the process.”

Care Dorset has not been able to say how many jobs are likely to be created by the eventual re-development of the site with funding for the project coming in part coming from Dorset Council’s £80m budget for supporting residents who are discharged from hospital or are recovering after a fall or illness in their own home.

Sidney Gale House was rated ‘inadequate’ in a 2017 Care Quality Commission report, improving to “Good” in 2019.