Mike O'Brien

FUTURE OF NURSING HOMES IN DOUBT

Concerns are growing over residential care homes in Warwickshire after the Strategic Director for Care in Warwickshire Dr Graeme Betts said in a letter to local MP Mike O'Brien that that "There is now an over supply of residential care in the Nuneaton and Bedworth area. Consequently occupation rates at Mayfield Warwickshire County Council Care Home for older people have fallen significantly over the last two years."

Mike O'Brien MP had been told that the future of Mayfield Nursing Home was in doubt and he contacted Warwickshire County Council to get clarity over the future of the Care Home.

Mike O'Brien said "It is now all as clear as mud. The County Council do not want to say what is going to happen until after the General Election.  It seems clear that at least one floor of Mayfield Nursing Home in Bedworth will be moth balled.  The future of the other Homes is not guaranteed.  However the Conservative County Council will not say what will happen to residential care until after the Election.  If they announced spending cuts before the election it would be damaging to them."

In his letter to Mike O'Brien the Strategic Director for Adult Health and Community Services for the County Council said, "Following successful delivery of the Local Authorities policy to support older people to live independently in their own home, there is now an over supply in the Nuneaton and Bedworth area...there is therefore over capacity in the area to meet current need, this has resulted in a significant number of vacant beds at the Home and reduced occupancy levels."

Mike O'Brien said, "Look, I have no problem with older people being helped to stay at home if that is what they want, but some older people need a Care Home and the Council should tell us clearly what their intention is.  Quietly, mothballing things is wrong.  It's part of a consistent pattern.  The County Council seem to be trying to hide their policy on a range of issues. They put off decisions on Open Cast, on housing policy, on the Fire Service and now on the future of residential nursing homes for the elderly in Warwickshire. There is a deliberate policy of not saying what is going to happen until after the Election."

"We know that the Conservative Party is planning big cuts. People need to know whether residential homes in the area will be closed."