Consultation on future of Henry Cornish Care Centre

We would like to hear your views on a proposal to close Henry Cornish Care Centre, a residential care home in Chipping Norton. No decision has been made, and we will carefully consider all the feedback received during this consultation.

Residents of Henry Cornish Care Centre, their families, staff, and the general public can comment on the proposals. This will be assessed and a report published which will then be considered by Oxfordshire County Council Cabinet for decision in December 2026.

This consultation is being carried out by Oxfordshire County Council and The Orders of St John Care Trust (OSJCT), which provides care at Henry Cornish Care Centre on behalf of the Oxfordshire Care Partnership (OCP).

Please read the consultation document before having your say. You may also find the supporting documents and Frequently Asked Questions on this page useful.

Introduction

The council, working with OCP, has been reviewing how care home services can best meet people’s needs now and in the future. The review found that demand for residential and nursing care places at Henry Cornish Care Centre has reduced over time. The council pays for 14 places which previously provided for short term rehabilitation for the NHS but between September 2025 until August 2026 the 14 beds were occupied for just under third of the time.

Under the council’s current contract with OCP, the council continues to pay for many of these places whether they are used or not. At the time of the review, this was costing the council around £460,000 each year. The council needs to consider whether this is the best use of public money.

The proposal is to close just Henry Cornish Care Centre. Other services on the site, including NHS services, are not affected by this proposal, nor is the building itself.

We understand that Henry Cornish Care Centre is an important part of the Chipping Norton community. Some residents have built friendships and local links over many years.

Through this consultation, the council and OSJCT want to understand what this proposal could mean for residents, families, carers, friends and the local community. The wellbeing, dignity and safety of care centre residents are the council's and OSJCT’s highest priority throughout the process.

The council’s customer service team and adult social care locality teams have been briefed and are ready to support people if needed.

There is another proposal to close a second care home called Townsend House, in Oxford, as part of the review of care provision. There is a separate consultation for this proposal.

Thank you for taking the time to have your say.

No decision will be made about the future of Henry Cornish Care Centre until the feedback from the consultation has been reviewed and considered by Cabinet.