Pledge on threat over care homes

Sep 5 2007 By Gurdip Thandi, Birmingham Mail

WORRIED residents in care in Staffordshire have been assured they will not be made homeless if their residential homes are shut.

County Council chiefs have slammed "misguided" rumours that have left some people in the authority's care concerned for their future.

A consultation is currently being carried out on the controversial Changing Lives programme, which could see council-run care homes, catering for older people and adults with disabilities, across Stafford-shire axed.

Coun Susan Woodward, cabinet member for healthier communities and older people, said letters had been sent to the 500 permanent residents, those who received respite or day care and relatives, reassuring them about the future.

She said: "Naturally, any concerns raised by those in our care are concerns for us.

"Unfortunately, there has been too much misguided speculation circulating which has caused a lot of unnecessary distress to our service users and carers, which is why we are so anxious to reassure them about their future.

"We wish to make it very clear that we will continue to meet the needs of those currently living in council run homes, irrespective of whether an individual home remains open or is closed."

She added individual care assessments are being carried out with each resident and members of their families.

These assessments, reports from independent agency Agencia who is undertaking the consultation, and other information, will form the basis of the decisions on the future of the homes. The results will be announced in the later this year.

The proposed Changing Lives programme sparked a storm of protest from residents, their families and local MPs who took the fight to Westminster.

Around 100 campaigners, including Lichfield MP Michael Fabricant, protested outside the House of Commons in July.