Care home closure could harm residents and increase costs

THERE has been much publicity about the planned closure of Primrose Hill Care Home in Boston Spa. Indeed, the local communities are staggered at the thought of the “jewel in the crown” of care homes being closed.

It is not just today’s elderly population who require homes like Primrose Hill, but with the ageing demographics of the country well publicised as rising, where will future generations go?

Homes with en-suite are not relevant, nor is living in your home when you are unable to attend to the routine matters of personal care, or manage to prepare meals and generally take care of the essentials of a comfortable life, that old age deserves.

Residential care homes are vital to provide a safe, secure, friendly and homely environment where the elderly can be cared for. That is Primrose Hill Care Home.

The Wetherby area statistically has a higher percentage of population of elderly people than the rest of Leeds, yet there is only one local care home and Leeds propose to close it.

Even with the new facility under construction in Wetherby, it is unlikely that the current 
and future needs will be met locally.

Leeds City Council (LCC) still has not publically stated the reasons for closing Primrose Hill Care Home.

Should LCC close Primrose Hill, where will the residents be moved to?

The nearest current home is some 10 miles away. Moving the elderly is disorientating and confusing, and relatives’ frequency of contact will be less because travel will be more difficult due to cost, weather and disability.

Health professionals say it is a proven fact that moving elderly people in this way shortens life expectancy.

The residents will require relocation into private facilities at huge extra cost. How can that be a real cost saving for the future? It is a fact that residential care fees are significantly more expensive in private sector homes compared to local authority care homes.

The frail and elderly deserve respect and a safe and happy end to their years. They cannot fight back.

A number of meetings with local parish and town councillors have taken place and in all cases, unanimous support has been received to keep open Primrose Hill Care Home.

The relatives of Primrose Hill residents are mounting a campaign to keep Primrose Hill Care Home open. Further meetings will be taking place in March prior to meeting face to face with LCC, so speed is of the essence.

Thank you for your support to help ensure that we keep open Primrose Hill Care Home, not just for the current generation of elderly people residing there, but for future generations; you, me and our younger generations.