Nursing home crisis

RINGMER Parish Council is opposing any move to close down the village s 37-bedroom old people s home.

The Harvard Road home for the elderly like many others in the county is under threat because the government is insisting on implementing new regulations concerning the size of rooms and providing en-suite facilities.

It is understood that necessary conversion work at Harvard Road could cost 1.5 million and result in the loss of about 10 rooms.

The alternative, the parish council fears, would be to close the 25-year-old, purpose-built home altogether, providing the county council with a valuable housing site.

The county has said that if the closure happened it would find alternative accommodation elsewhere but the parish council is worried that this might mean independently-funded accommodation outside the village.

'Residents don t want to move 20 miles away, said John Fletcher, parish council chairman.

'We are deeply worried about this threat to our home, not just for those who live there, or might want to live there in the future, but for those who use it as a day centre.

'We are pressing for the home to remain open and have asked to be kept informed of discusions and detailed costings.

The county council is in the process of reviewing its 14 care homes in the light of the government s new standards. The Harvard Road study starts on February 4, with a report to cabinet on its future in July.

A spokesman said: 'The review will include extensive consultation with the residents and the views of their close relatives.

'The council is very conscious that this will be an uncertain time for everyone involved and we will carry out the process with sensitivity and care.

'The interests and needs of residents will be of prime consideration, along with ensuring value for money.