Tory axe for care homes

6.00.00pm GMT Tue 16th Dec 2008

David Goodall outside Birch Lawn Care Home

News of the closure of two care homes, Birch Lawn and Whitehaven Lodge, by the ruling Conservative administration came as a great shock to the staff and residents in the homes.

Lib Dem spokesperson for Adult Social Care, Cllr Gerry Drake has visited the homes and met with the staff and residents, and he commented that:

"Some of the other homes appear to be in worse state of repair yet they are not being closed. I can't understand why the Tories felt the need to close these homes or is it another money making scheme? They certainly don't come across as a caring council."

The shock of the staff and residents was all the greater after an official report of the homes published only in September 2008 stated that Birch Lawn was ranked as "good" and according to the report the inspector could not find any area in which it needed to improve. Commenting on the closure decision David Goodall said:

"It appears that the Council's main concern is to find money in the budget for pet projects they consider important. I for one believe there can be little of greater importance than care of the most elderly and vulnerable in our society. These homes should not close."