Elderly Stage Protest Over Threat of Closure




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Elderly Stage Protest Over Threat of Closure

By Catherine Hole

Bristol Evening Post, 21 July 2003

UK - Elderly residents at a home in Lawrence Weston took to the streets in protest over its proposed closure today. Residents and relatives from Rushlands Elderly People's Home held the protest outside the Council House, where officers are set to recommend that the home closes.

Officers say Rushlands and the sheltered housing complex next door in Kirkby Road is the most suitable site to build 55 one and two-bedroom flats as part of a £9 million sheltered housing scheme.

The two sites have been earmarked for replacement as part of a Bristol City Council initiative to provide "very sheltered housing" for more than 600 people during the next decade.

Residents and relatives have formed Bristol Relatives' Action Group for the Elderly (RAGE) to fight the closure.

Rachael Thomas, spokesperson for Bristol RAGE, said: "We are here today to register our disgust at social services plans to close Rushlands.

"We want to stress to Bristol City Council that they are putting the lives of Rushlands residents at risk by closing the home.

"A home in Merseyside closed in May this year and already six out of 26 residents are dead."

At the meeting council officers are expected to tell the residents that closing the home should be considered following a four-month consultation process.

Rushlands could be demolished by spring next year with residents moving into other homes or the new sheltered housing complexes. The new accommodation would provided self-contained flats for elderly people with flexible care and support from dedicated care teams and offering a range of community facilities such as a restaurant, hobby rooms, IT suite and jacuzzi.

In the report which will be discussed at the meeting the officers say the council have identified a need to move away from institutional care and that very sheltered housing enables older people to maintain their independence.

Bill McKitterick, director of social services, said: "The impact of the possible closure of Rushlands and the health and well-being of the residents have remained of primary concern."