Campaign to save Whitehaven Care Home
3rd September 2008
Dr Alan Whitehead, Member of Parliament for Southampton Test, last night met with residents and neighbours of Whitehaven Lodge, one of the care homes threatened with closure by the Conservative-run Council in Southampton.
Dr Whitehead met residents of the home with local Councillor Cathie McEwing, hearing their concerns about the proposed closure.
Neighbours of the care home repeatedly mentioned how the home is an integral part of the local community- for example with young children from the area being welcomed trick-or-treating at the home at Halloween.
The Conservative Council is proposing to close 2 care homes in Southampton and sell off the sites for housing. The care homes sites are valued at £1.5 million.
Dr Whitehead said:
“The way staff and residents at these care homes have been treated is appalling. They should have already been consulting with residents and staff, rather than being shamed into doing so at the eleventh hour.
“There may well be a case for improving or replacing Whitehaven if there are problems with the building itself. But there is a world of difference between closing a care home in order to replace it with something better, and selling off a site without providing any replacement for current residents.
“It should also be noted that the Council’s own figures show that the unit cost of Whitehaven to the taxpayer is substantially lower than any other Council-run care home in the city.
“If the Conservatives are too ashamed to properly consult with the residents and neighbours whose lives will be affected by this, then I will.”
What do you think about this story? Email Alan