Wirral Council has announced it is to close Girtrell Court respite care home and transfer services to a new purpose-built, privately operated facility in Birkenhead.

The move ends months of speculation over the Saughall Massie home, which has been at the centre of a bitter battle against closure since the decision to consult over its future was made late last year.

Several large protests were held outside Wallasey Town Hall as campaigners fought to save the home from the axe.

Wirral Globe:

Geraldine Roue, Damien Crowley and Christine Crowley protesting outside the town hall earlier this year

Trade union Unison today said it "totally disagreed" with closure and remains concerned about the impact on vulnerable people who use Girtrell Court.

And a councillor campaigning to keep the home open said the authority "will long be remembered for closing the last remaining council care home in Wirral."

The new respite service in a purpose-built facility on Tollemache Road will be in place alongside a range of other services from November.

It will be provided by Sanctuary Housing with eight purpose-designed bedrooms offering en-suite facilities in a building described as "high quality."

Councillor Chris Jones, cabinet member for adult social services, said: "We guaranteed local residents we would provide excellent alternative options for residential care.

"We said that everyone in Wirral who needed respite care would continue to get it.

"I am proud we have delivered on those promises, and in fact delivered a better, more modern and flexible service for every person and family who needs respite care in Wirral.

"We knew at the outset of the consultation that different families would want their services to be provided in different kinds of ways.

"I am really pleased we have come to such a positive outcome, and I am especially pleased that the carers we are working with are so enthusiastic about the new service which is on offer. "

She added: "We have worked closely with families and carers to ensure that their voices are heard and that they are satisfied that the service their loved ones will receive in future is the absolute best available."

But Moreton and Saughall Massie councillor Chris Blakeley - who has led the drive to keep Girtrell Court open - said: "On the face of it this may appear to be good news for those users who have not been bullied by this council into alternative services.

"But we have to remember this is an eight-bed unit without any provision for emergency beds where Girtrell Court was a 20-bed unit including two emergency beds.

"It's clear that without the opposition from users, local councillors and trades unions we would not be in the position we are today.

"This council simply wanted to abrogate itself of its responsibilities by closing Girtrell Court in March of this year - and it's only concerted and joined up opposition that has forced them to seek an alternative bed-based service.

"The council has not made the saving of £155,000 it was targeting, however it has now shunted some of the most vulnerable people in our society to the independent private sector and thrown 36 dedicated and loyal staff on the scrap heap."

He added: "This Labour council will long be remembered as the authority that closed the last remaining council care home in Wirral."

A Unison representative said: "While removing the ongoing uncertainty, this decision undoubtedly will be upsetting for many staff, carers and people who use Girtrell.

"Unison have previously been given an assurance by the council that the alternative respite provision will be provided at lower cost.

"We are still awaiting evidence to demonstrate this will be the case.

"While we totally disagree with the decision to close Girtrell Court and remain concerned about the impact on vulnerable people, we will seek to ensure our members receive maximum protection during this difficult time”

Wirral Council’s director of adult social care Graham Hodkinson has written to those affected informing them of the decision to commission the new service and to invite families to visit the new building and meet the staff.

Bookings will continue to be accepted for services at Girtrell Court until November.

An open day will be held at the Tollemache Road home on Monday, July 11, when families and carers will be able to visit the site and meet the team.