Uncertain Future For Care Homes

Six residential homes for elderly people in the Lisburn and south Down areas are facing an uncertain future. The Down Lisburn Health Trust is planning to reduce the number of beds, forcing the closure of two homes. A number of factors will be taken into consideration including the state of the building, occupancy rates and the re-deployment of staff.

Public consultation ends this month and a final decision on the fate of the homes is due in January next year.

Kathleen Porter, a resident at St John’s Home, Downpatrick, said being forced to move would cause a lot of upheaval.

“If we do have to go, it’s going to make an awful lot of difference, getting into a new place and getting used to everybody else,” she said.

SDLP MP Eddie McGrady said the facilities were “fully occupied” and people were demanding that they be kept.