There was a wide cross-section of interest in re-developing care services in the town, be it by a new home, very sheltered housing or joint services with the local hospital, etc. The Town Plan appraisal should also be incorporated in the process. Castle view is a good site and should not be lost. Parish, Town and District Councils want to work together with cross-party support.

Approximately 250 attended the public meeting, representing all ages and sections of the community. Many suggested that the financial deficit could be reduced by adding more rooms, combining with the adjoining sheltered housing or generating additional fee income from specialist services. There were fears about losing local jobs and local connections and many questioned why the remaining 18 OSJ homes could not cross-subsidise Langston House. Others mentioned the closure of Burford hospital as "a sham consultation exercise which must not be repeated".

There was a general view that the town needed a care home, and that its location could also support a mixture of specialist services and private pay residents. Local GP’s and health providers expressed an interest in helping to develop a new care home. Concern was expressed that no local or affordable replacement homes were available, especially as a nearby private care home is about to close. Closure of Spencer Court had been ‘threatened before and would be resisted again’, said many.

Residents welcomed not having to share rooms. A possible site at Madley Park was discussed and there were no real objections. The new home was seen as a positive and the sooner it happens the better.

There was general support and enthusiasm for the proposed new home. When will it happen and where? What impact will it have on other local care homes?

Few residents were able to participate, due to physical and mental frailty, but those that did showed great enthusiasm, as did their relatives. Is the replacement Donnington site still available? Will flooding, parking and other land users be an issue? Will the new home have good gardens? There was general support for very sheltered housing.

The improved facilities will compensate for the loss of our present site. The new site should be more accessible for relatives and staff. Will the new home be designed for dementia sufferers? If nursing care replaces residential care, will current residents still be offered a place?

There was good support for the proposals and the fact that Thame would have a new home (Councillor Ludlow presented 240 various ‘letters of support/petition’ in favour of a new care home in Thame). There was a lot of interest in where the new home will be and what will happen to the old site. If residential care is replaced by nursing care where will residential needs be met? What extra costs will private fee payers have to pay?

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