Family speak of outrage over care home closure plans

AN 89-year-old man is devastated at plans to demolish a care home he uses.

Eric Henley, of West Park Road, visits Arthur Neal House, in Mackworth, twice a week on a day-care basis and is one of 19 people who use it.

But they were told earlier this month that Derby City Council wanted to replace the care home with sheltered housing.

If approved, it would make way for 100 one- and two-bedroom flats available to buy, part-own or rent.

The work would take place between 2009 and 2011 and all users would be sent to other care homes.

But Mr Henley's son, Stephen, of Starkholmes Road, Matlock, said many of the users – including his father – were upset about the plan.

He said: "This is a well-run old people's home in which the residents and day care attendees alike are very happy.

"The building appears to be sound and the staff and residents have no complaints.

"With an ageing population, of course additional capacity is needed but there must be plenty of other sites around Derby."

His biggest concern was the disruption it could cause the residents.

The 61-year-old said: "The proposal itself would involve splitting up a very happy community and sending the residents to different homes.

"It would be treating them more as sacks of potatoes than human beings with rights – effectively evicting them.

"It is well known that moving home is one of the most traumatic events of anyone's life.

"My father, although not a resident, is deeply affected by the possible plight of his friends who live there."

The proposal, first put forward more than a year ago, is the subject of a consultation exercise.

This will be completed by December 22, with the cabinet set to make a decision on the future of the site in February.

Councillor Ruth Skelton, cabinet member for adult services and health, said the benefits of the proposal would overcome the drawbacks.

She said: "People are moving away from residential care. They want to stay in their own homes for as long as possible.

"There's no dispute that the people in the house are happy and change will always be difficult but we have to cater for changing attitudes in society.

"People want to stay in their homes and they have extra needs, so our proposals can provide both.

"But we will work with the residents, their families and the community throughout the process and they are welcome to ask us any questions."