Trust Votes To Close Home

Supporters of Seymour House have vowed to oppose this week’s decision by Down Lisburn Trust to close the elderly care home. On Wednesday the Trust recommended the home in Dunmurry close. However the decision is still to be agreed by the Health Minister.

Local councillor Jonathan Craig said he was outraged by the decision and has demanded a meeting with the Trust’s Chairman, David Gorman, to discuss the matter. He also vowed to lobby the Health Minister to overturn the Trust’s decision. However, with an election looming and hopes high that the Assembly will be up and running next month, Mr Craig said it was important for locally elected representatives to take the final decision.

“Myself and Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson will be campaigning to have the decision of the Trust overturned. I have demanded a meeting with David Gorman and we intend to meet with the Health Minister. However, it needs to be locally elected representatives taking these decisions,” said Mr Craig.

Announcing the Trust’s decision this week, Acting Director of Primary Care Service, Maura Devlin, said: “We recognise that our number one priority for now must be to ensure that suitable alternative arrangements are made for all residents directly affected by this proposal.”