Judge rejects bid to save Southampton care homes

A HIGH Court judge has refused a last ditch attempt to save two care homes in Southampton. Families of elderly residents living at Birch Lawn in Sholing and Whitehaven Lodge in Millbrook have branded the decision a “death sentence”.

Solicitors acting on behalf of the residents worked through last night to apply for a further injunction at the Court of Appeal this morning.

An initial injunction was put in place as Southampton City Council considered closing just one of the homes and they have written to the council with the same appeal again.

As reported in the Daily Echo, the High Court rejected an initial application for a review earlier this year.

Southampton City Council’s Councillor Ivan White, Cabinet member for health and social care, said: “We have put no specific time scale on the closing of the two homes and will work closely with residents and their families and friends to help them to make the transition to a new home in the best possible manner.”