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WE WON’T TAKE THIS LYING DOWN Deeside care home group vows to fight on after ruling Santas stepping up for charity challenge
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THE argument regarding the closure of Deeside Care Home in Basingstoke Basings is far from over. Now, the g group dedicated to saving the care ca home from being closed by Hampshire H County Council (H (HCC) have pledged to ‘not take the decision lying down’.’ d On December 9, the county council’s cabinet voted to close the South Ham home after recommendations from the authority’s director of adult services. Two other Hampshire care homes have been axed – Bulmer House in Petersfield and Nightingale Lodge in Romsey. However, the ‘Save Deeside’ campaign group have vowed to fight on, and are seeking legal advice to try and overturn the decision. Lynn Rich, whose mother-in-law is a resident at the home, blasted the 12-week consultation process as a ‘complete sham’. “We are not taking this lying down,” she said. “All three homes have written to the complaints officer at HCC outlining why we feel the whole consultation and processes by HCC was a complete sham and legally flawed.” An HCC spokesman said the decision was made ‘in accordance with all leg legal requirements. Mrs Rich added: “We are outraged that a Tory council can make the decision d to close three homes larg largely fi lled with demen-
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By James Booker news@basingstokeobserver.co.uk
tia patients, when David Cameron speaking at last week’s G8 summit vowed to double dementia funding, and said it was a “scandal” that the UK has not done more to address dementia. “It would seem HCC only want to either sell off the homes to further their portfolio or rebuild Extra Care Housing on the site of the homes. “These types of facilities are not suitable for dementia patients.” Basingstoke and Deane Borough Council has expressed its disappointment at the decision, having written to its Hampshire counterparts to keep the home open. However, the HCC spokesman added: “There are 450 residential and nursing homes in Hampshire – 50 per cent of which provide dementia care. “Hampshire is at the forefront of the dementia-friendly communities work nationally, seeking to help people with dementia to stay living in their own homes among friends and neighbours for longer. “HCC is also developing dementia-friendly communities, which enable a culture of participation, so that people can look outwards to their communities for support.”
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