Midlands care home battle is taken to Europe

Oct 8 2009 by Steve Bradley, Birmingham Mail

CAMPAIGNERS fighting to save a Wolverhampton Council-run care home occupied by one of Britain’s oldest women have made a dramatic last-ditch overnight plea to Europe for help.

The battle, fronted by 106-year-old resident Louisa Watts, to save Underhill House, in Bushbury, looked to have failed yesterday at the Court of Appeal.

Two judges told solicitor Yvonne Hossack there were no grounds to allow an appeal to take place against the closure decision.

But the plucky protesters are refusing to accept defeat, despite the city council claiming it will now shut the facility, and have lodged an appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.

Miss Hossack said last night: “I’m trying for Louisa, and for other people involved with Underhill House, to make an application to the European Court of Human Rights for an injunction. It’s perfectly clear from all evidence that home closure and involuntary transfer can impact on the lives of residents.”

Miss Hossack produced expert evidence which stated that Mrs Watts’ life expectancy was likely to be reduced by 25 per cent if she had to move.

Mrs Watts’ son Derek, 77, who was in court as the verdict was delivered, said residents of the home were “devastated” and had been crying following the hearing. He added: “Is there any justice in the world for the elderly? All they want to do is live their lives in peace. I’ll try anything to keep this home open, so we are going to appeal to the European Court of Human Rights.”

Lord Justice Sedley said: “If there were any firm findings that moving Mrs Watts would shorten her life the decision would be quite different.

“Mrs Watts is entitled to the full benefit of every day that still remains to her.”

But he said reports showed that there was no risk to Mrs Watts being moved. Coun Les Pugh, the council’s cabinet member for adults, said: “Our staff will now work with the residents, and their families, to give them intensive support to help them find alternative placements which best meet their needs.”

Explaining the decision to close the home, Sarah Norman, Wolverhampton City Council’s Director for Adults and Community, said: “Our own experience, from the closure of a number of care homes in Wolverhampton, coupled with research across the country shows that there is no reason why a properly managed move should have an adverse effect on the health and well-being of residents.

“We have already helped nine residents to move out of Underhill House and they are doing well in their new accommodation.”