TWO more council-run care homes for the elderly look set to close.
Cabinet is on Tuesday expected to approve a proposal to shut down Flaxen Road care home in Chingford and Francis House in Beaconsfield Road, Walthamstow, to save £1.5 million.
There are currently a total of 43 residents at the homes, many of whom suffer from dementia.
A council report said selling the homes would provide money to refurbish and expand the council’s three remaining care homes.
The homes have been chosen for closure after an assessment of location, layout, condition and potential for improvement.
A public consultation on alternative proposals, such as shutting all council-run homes or outsourcing services, led councillors on a scrutiny committee to support the council’s original plan.
But there has been widespread criticism of the plan. The nephew of a Flaxen Road resident has raised concerns over the implication of the closure and the effect it will have on his fragile 89-year-old aunt, Anne Smith, who has dementia.
Steve Smith, 60, from Somerset, said: ”I think it is very unclear where people are going to be moved to. There's been no clear indication of this.
"I am very concerned about what the upheaval will do to her.
“In my view it is a very good home and the facilities are good.
“There's just no reason to close it based on financial reason.
“It just goes to show the consultation was a complete waste of time.”
Responses to a consultation questions put to residents, their families and staff have been overwhelmingly critical of the proposal.
One said: “Residents are becoming pawns in a financial game”, while another said: “To move residents would be too distressing.”
Public sector union Unison claimed the consultation on the proposed closures was inadequate, a claim rejected by the council.
The council is set to spend £4.5 million this year on its remaining care homes, which include Alliston House in Church Hill, Walthamstow, George Mason Lodge in Chelmsford Road, Leytonstone, and Mapleton Road in Chingford.
The council said the number of people being placed into residential care had significantly reduced last year and that the authority was working with health officials to provide more home support to lower numbers further.
In 2009, the council controversially closed the Walton House care home in Chingford Mount Road.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here