North Notts Care Homes Closure Fight

Relatives of elderly people in care homes under threat of closure have enlisted the help of a top lawyer.

Notts County Council is analysing the results of a public consultation on the future of eight cares homes and is expected to announce its decision on the future of eight of them next month.

But residents of Kirklands residential home, Kirkby-in-Ashfield, and Daleside Residential Care Home, Mansfield are preparing a plan of action in advance of the decision should the outcome be the closure of the homes.

Northampton-based lawyer Yvonne Hossack, who founded Elderly People in Crisis to help campaigners save under-threat homes, met families last night to discuss the possibility of seeking a judicial review.

Ms Hossack said: “Although we could be accused of pre-empting the council’s decision, the time to act is now. Should the decision be taken to close, these homes, things can move quickly.”

Other homes awaiting their fate are Leivers Court, Arnold, Bishop’s Court, Boughton, St Michael’s View, Retford, James Hince Court, Carlton-in-Lindrick, Ashcroft, Sutton-in-Ashfield, and Beauvale Court, Eastwood.

Grenville Green, chairman of the Kirklands campaign group, said: “Kirklands is a wonderful care home. It is not right that decision-makers should be upsetting elderly people. We are not going to roll over.”

Ms Hossack said that studies had indicated that moving elderly people to new homes could affect their health and well-being and hasten their deaths.

Relatives also fear the trauma of a possible move could have a devastating impact on elderly people.

Kerron Perry, whose 86-year-old step-mother, Winifred Perry, is a resident of Daleside Home said: “The problem with it is when these elderly people are moved to new homes it is almost like euthanasia.

“They can’t cope with the stress of the move and it affects their health.”

Mr Perry said Mrs Perry had received a high standard of care at Daleside.

He said: “My step-mother has improved immeasurably since she moved to Daleside after a hospital stay.

“She has made friends and would find it hard to be moved and separated.

“I believe that council homes are flagships. They are not seeking to make money and staff provide care because they want to help.”

A county council spokesman said: “We understand this is an uncertain time for the families of older people who reside in the care homes that are part of the review. We have been as thorough as possible throughout the consultation process.

“We have consulted from an early stage with a wide variety of individuals and organisations, from residents and families to charities and private sector care providers.

“We have emphasised throughout the process that no decisions have yet been made and we will take time to look at all the comments made. We are analysing all of the information from the consultation and a report will be put to full County

Council on April 10 for their consideration.”

For further information about the campaign Contact Kerron Perry on 01623 422826.