Havering Elderly Care Sell-Off

A Looming elderly care crisis has forced a major shake-up of council-run services.

The fast-growing elderly population and mounting maintenance costs have prompted Havering Council to announce plans to sell off the last two council-owned dementia care home facilities.The decision means another 100 residents will be handed over to the private sector.

The council insists this privatisation is the most effective way of providing the required standard of care to all the borough’s elderly.

Residents of Elmhurst Lodge in Hornchurch and Winifred Whittingham, in Rainham, will be moved out to privately run facilities and the sites sold to developers under sweeping modernisation plans.

Sustainable communities cabinet member Cllr Steven Kelly said: “Given the quality and number of privately run care homes in Havering and the huge cost to local taxpayers of keeping the two facilities open, it does not make sense to keep vulnerable people in Winifred’s and Elmhurst when better alternatives are available.”

The homes currently provide a high standard of care in low-standard surroundings, according to Cllr Kelly, who added: “They were built in the past and are not fit for the future.”

More than 100 residents and a similar number of staff will be affected if the proposals win cabinet approval today (Wednesday).

Latest estimates indicate a 16 per cent increase in Havering’s 85-plus population by 2010.

The cabinet will consider three options for the sites, including gradually phasing out or total refurbishment to a level which meets Government standards.