Time is running out to have your say on the future of a Sheppey care home threatened with closure.

People were asked to submit their views and opinions about Blackburn Lodge in Broadway, Sheerness.

The home – which is run and maintained by Kent County Council (KCC) – specialises in dementia and Alzheimer's care.

KCC started the three-month scheme aimed at gathering opinions on the home in January.

It comes as the authority is proposing to move to a model where people can be cared for in their own homes, dubbed Housing with Care.

A spokesman confirmed the consultation is still running as planned, despite the outbreak of coronavirus.

It means people have until Tuesday to take part and share their views.

If all goes to plan, a report is expected to be sent to the Adult Social Care Cabinet Committee in May.

A final decision will then be made by Cllr Clare Bell, cabinet member for adult social care and health, in June.

A pressure group, made up of councillors from Sheppey Town Council and Minster-on-Sea Parish Council, was set up to encourage people to take part in the consultation.

Cllr Dolley White, who is a member of the group, said: "Blackburn Lodge is going to potentially be used by a lot of people in the future, especially by our vulnerable residents.

"Everybody needs to have a think about their future, as well as the future of their relatives and friends and consider whether they want Blackburn Lodge to be there in the next 10 to 20 years.

"This consultation is planning to set the priorities for the next decade or so and we need to make sure we are having our say."

She is hopeful KCC will consider extending the consultation closing date, in light of the recent coronavirus outbreak.

"In the last few weeks it's been difficult to encourage people to fill out the paper copies," said Cllr White.

"Large areas of the community this affects do not have access to the internet to complete it online. It concerns me that the final results of this might be inaccurate if they have not had the chance to share their views."

Visit www.kent.gov.uk/blackburnlodgeconsultation before March 31 for the opportunity to view and comment.

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