Officials admit there is a risk involved in transferring the 11 remaining residents at Rokeby House – but say they have to consider the "wider community benefits" that will follow its
closure.

Campaigners went to the High Court to try to save the home – described by Health Secretary Alan Johnson as a "jewel in Hull's social services crown" – following the ruling Liberal Democrats' decision not to carry out £150,000 flood repairs.

But that was ultimately unsuccessful and risk assessments have been carried out on residents – including Dunkirk veteran Harry Glentworth, who protested against the plans on the steps of the Guildhall last October – in preparation for their transfer to other homes in the city.

Despite residents' and carers' desire that the home stay open, campaigners now fear it will close by the end of the year.

In a report to be considered by Hull Council's cabinet later this month the council's head of community care services, Angela Dunn, said the risks of transferring older people were "well-
evidenced".

"There is evidence that poorly handled transfers can result in distress, injury and also a significant increase in deaths," she said.

"There is also evidence that well managed transfers even of highly vulnerable residents can be successful, so that there is
little or no distress or injury and no increase in deaths at all; however it is always possible that despite a careful assessment a transferred resident will in the event fare badly."

She also states that carers and residents would still prefer the home to be kept open.

Ms Dunn said yesterday that residents were being offered a choice of homes – and if they wanted to go to a council-home they would be accommodated – and that a member of staff could go with them for two or three weeks to help them settle in.

The community would not lose a facility as they were hoping to open something on the lines of Grove House, on Beverley Road, where people live independently but with a 24-hour support service on hand.

She strongly denied rumours that something other than a care facility for the elderly would be built.

She said: "I don't know how many times I have said in meetings that the commitment is for a community care service not a bail hostel, not a young person's institution, not a pub and not a hotel."

June White, whose 89-year-old mother Hilda Milsom is at the home, said: "She's very upset; she's very depressed. She can't bear to think about leaving Rokeby – it's been her home for two years. I just hope it's not a foregone conclusion."

Mally Fields, whose mother-in-law Stella Cattle was at the home until her death in 2007, said it was going to be a sad day when the home closed. He bemoaned the "lack of democracy" which meant the west area committee, which has nine Liberal Democrat councillors, was only presented with a briefing paper on the closure at its meeting on Wednesday night and there was no debate on the subject.

He added: "I think after September 22 when the cabinet has made its decision they will move with such haste because they will want it done before the winter months have set in.

"I would think by mid-October they will have moved the staff out and the place will be boarded up."

The home was given an A rating by the Commission for Social Care Inspection having met or exceeded standards in all 22 aspects examined last year.