'Moves will upset elderly'
Angry relatives are calling on council bosses to scrap a plan to sell off six care homes – because it would leave their elderly family members in distress.
They say their loved ones are happy with the existing staff and surroundings and any change to the services they receive will be hugely upsetting.
On Wednesday, the Leicester Mercury broke the news that six of the city's homes could be put up for sale to save more than £1.2 million a year.
They are Abbey House, in New Parks; Arbor House, in Evington; Herrick Lodge, in Belgrave; Nuffield House, in the West End; Preston Lodge, off Humberstone Road, and Thurn Court, in Thurnby Lodge.
It is part of a review to decide whether it is better to transfer the homes to the private sector or set up a not-for-profit company to run them, by 2012.
The council said the homes need about £15 million in improvements to the buildings, which have 197 residents and 219 staff.
A woman from Botcheston, who did not want to be named, said her 87-year-old mother would be devastated by any changes.
She said: "My mum has been a resident at Preston Lodge for the last five years.
"She was really upset when she found out the home might be sold. She has a terminal respiratory condition, but the support she has had from staff has been fantastic."
She called on the Government to plough extra funding into council-run care homes.
A number of people have also commented on the story on Mercury website.
Jo, from Leicester, said an "enormous physical and mental strain" had been lifted off her shoulders when her mother became a resident at Preston Lodge six months ago.
She said she was "appalled" that the council was considering the sales.
She said: "Preston Lodge staff are outstanding with the care they provide to my mum and the other residents there.
"Mum is very settled and has made some good friends since she has been there and this in turn has made a massive positive contribution to her mental health and wellbeing.
"Please, I beg the council not to consider putting these homes into the private sector.
"These residents deserve to live the rest of their lives knowing they will continue to receive the excellent care that these homes provide, and the staff need to know they are valued and can continue to provide the care that residents."
Councillor Michael Cooke, cabinet spokesman for older people, said no decision had been made about selling off the homes.
He said the main focus of the review was to improve services for older people.
He said: "The existing homes I don't believe are good enough.
"We have a situation where three bathrooms are serving 291 rooms in some places, and I don't think that's right.
"There is a range of alternative options we are looking at."
3 Comments
by Anne, Leicester
Friday, January 30 2009, 2:40PM
“''We have a situation where three bathrooms are serving 291 rooms in some places, and I don't think that's right'' Is this a misprint? If correct how on earth did these places get planning permission to house elderly residents in the first place?”
by Sid, NW Leics
Friday, January 30 2009, 2:21PM
“Its not just about the money. Sometimes these places have to close because they acquire an institutionalised feel preventing the service from improving. The only tway to change this is to close the property, restructure and relocate. Most of the homes in the article have a good CSCI rating and maybe the only way to make them excellent would be to consider closure and relocation. The thing I notice about old people living in these places is they can be very cautious about making a fuss if they are not happy with the service. It's the dont want to be a burden feel. Moving them to a better service may be in their interest. Before they can be moved the council is legally obliged to explore all choices available.”
by Kim, Leicester
Friday, January 30 2009, 12:04PM
“Coun. Cooke - why doesn't the Council just improve the homes then instead of selling them off? Isn't that just to line the pockets of the Council? I think it would more cost effective to just bring the homes up to scratch and leave residents where they are instead of trying to rehome hundreds of elderly people in private homes that their families cannot afford and where their care grants are not covered! I am sick of the way the elderly are targeted when it comes to saving money! Why don't the Council save money by getting rid of unnecessary pen pushers and time wasting staff and then I am sure the Council will be able to afford to update the homes rather than selling them off?!”