Stafford Lib Dems Back Campaign To Keep Staffordshire Care Homes Open

6.05.00pm GMT Wed 7th Feb 2007

Stafford Liberal Democrats are supporting the campaign to get the County Council to change its mind over the closure of all their old people's homes and day centres. Parliamentary Spokesperson Barry Stamp and his colleague Cllr Chris Baron have already spoken out against the plans which Barry describes as nothing more than a cash saving exercise.

Both Chris and Barry have been contacted by a number of residents whose loved ones are residents of Foxwalls in Stafford - one of the homes under threat. In every case the relatives asked two very simple questions "Why is the County Council doing this?" and "Where will my relative live when the home is closed?"

Chris Baron has already joined a mass meeting outside the County buildings to show just how disgusted she is with the whole affair.

"I am extremely concerned that hundreds of elderly residents across Staffordshire are facing a bleak future. Most of them regard the home in which they live as theirs. I know from talking to relatives that they are in tears and sick with worry about their future. However we must also not forget the staff which work in these homes, as they to face a bleak and uncertain future. I believe we must fight to prevent these closures," said Chris.

"Closing these homes is nothing short of a disaster for many local families. I think it is disgraceful that the County Council is trying to pass this scheme off as a way of providing better facilities for the elderly. I believe it is nothing more than a move to save money! To make matters worse the Council have also once again mishandled the whole matter by leaving the residents, their relatives, and the staff completely in the dark about what they really think. This just adds to the worry and frustration that everyone feels and does not allow anyone to fight the proposals with any certainty. I and my Liberal Democrat colleagues in Stafford are completely against closing any of these homes and will do everything in our powers to stop this happening," added Barry Stamp.