Fears over care home plans

6:01pm Wednesday 2nd July 2008

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HORRIFIED relatives of elderly residents at a North Yorkshire care home have hit out at plans to close it down, which they say will mean a disastrous fall in their loved ones' standard of care.

At a meeting last month, representatives from North Yorkshire County Council met with staff and carers at Brentwood Lodge, in Leyburn, indicating that in time it would be replaced with self-contained "extra care" flats.

The move is part of a long term plan, which also includes the closure and replacement of sheltered accommodation at nearby Thornborough Hall.

But relatives of residents, many of whom suffer from dementia, say the new scheme has been met with "horror."

One relative, who did not wish to be named, said: "The residents of the EMI (Elderly Mentally Infirm) unit would not be able to cope with living in an independent - and isolating - flat. Indeed, had they been able to do so, they would not be in Brentwood Lodge.

"The suggestion that they could cope with use of a kitchen and bathroom unsupervised was met with horror."

Another relative asked: "There is no proposed dementia or extended care facility at Leyburn, so where will the county council ship the majority of Brentwood residents for whom the proposed new facility would be medically unsafe?"

Brentwood has 34 regular residents, many with serious dementia, as well as two beds reserved for respite. Thornborough has 22 flats, with capacity for about 30 residents.

Karen Stephens, team manager at Brentwood Lodge, said: "What really worries people is what will happen to the many dementia sufferers who need extra care. This does not seem to have been addressed."

A spokesman for North Yorkshire County Council said no one would be placed in extra care if it was not suited to their needs.

"A thorough assessment is undertaken of each individual's needs before a decision is made about the most suitable and appropriate accommodation," he said.

"We have written to all the relatives who attended last week's meeting and have offered them a further meeting in order that we can more fully respond to their concerns."