Care homes axe protest

A meeting of all Staffordshire county councillors was being held this morning to discuss the council's medium term financial strategy - which includes plans to close the homes and pour money into other forms of care.

The Express & Star has been inundated with calls from distraught residents, families and carers, some of whom were in tears.

The plans were passed by the county council's Labour cabinet last week and today's meeting is expected to see the controversial proposals get the backing of the Labour-controlled council.The local authority issued a statement yesterday claiming the plans are in line with central Government claims that existing services are 'not designed with older people's needs in mind'.

Professor Ian Philip, the National Director for Older People's Services, said that social care and health services must be reconfigured if services are to improve.

He said: "Our existing services were not designed with older people's needs in mind. To add to this we also expect advances in medical science and technology to mean we can do more for older people."

Professor Philp said innovation and improvements in the way services work together and radical changes to the way services are organised, such as Staffordshire County Council's Changing Lives programme, will bring significant benefits.

But while the comments have been welcomed by Susan Woodward, cabinet member for social care and health, they have been slammed by those affected.

Councillor Chris Baron, who is supporting the campaign to keep the homes open, said: "The council says it will hold meetings with those who are worried but as far as we can see the decision has been made."

By Sally Walmsley