Care residents mull legal battle

Residents at three Nottinghamshire care homes earmarked for closure could mount a legal challenge to save them.

Nottinghamshire County Council announced plans to shut five homes after a review of provision of care for the elderly.

Solicitor Yvonne Hossack said worried residents at the Ashcroft, Daleside and Kirklands homes may call for a judicial review if the closures go ahead.

The council said homes would not close until a new home opened in Mansfield.

The proposals will go before the council on 10 April.

'Dangerous thing'

The homes concerned are: St Michael's View, Retford; Ashcroft, Sutton in Ashfield; Daleside, Mansfield; Kirklands in Kirkby in Ashfield; and Beauvale Court, Eastwood.

Ms Hossack said: "If they plan to move everyone who remains in the homes (Ashcroft, Daleside and Kirklands) together to the new home - that is a safe method of moving.

"If they propose to close the homes before the new one is opened and move people here and there - that's a dangerous thing to do and is a decision that the people could challenge by a judicial review."

Kath Lamb, whose mother is a resident at one of the homes facing closure, said: "I think it could kill some of (the residents). It's terrible.

"To be honest with you, I only hope in years to come the people that are doing this now, the councillors and everyone, it comes back to haunt them. Because I think it is a terrible, terrible disgrace."

Investment promises

There are currently a total of 93 places in the three homes which would be replaced by the new 60-bed home under the proposals.

The council said other places will be available homes in the area.

Councillor David Kirkham, leader of the county council, said the move would mean a �19m investment into residential care.

He said: "I don't envisage anyone being pushed somewhere that they don't want to go.

"I understand that some people will want to stay in their home but we've got to face reality. We can't keep these homes in the state they are in.

"We're going to have to put some investment in them and we think that investment will be better put into a brand new home with up-to-date, modern facilities."

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