21/11/05 - Residents pray for care homes rescue.
It was meant to be a day of celebration and thanksgiving, but yesterday's silver jubilee church service for dozens of residents of two Norfolk care homes was a bitter-sweet experience.
The residents, some of whom are in their 80s and 90s and dependent on 24-hour care, fear for their future after the Sue Ryder Foundation announced its homes at Walsingham and Snettisham are on the market with a three-month deadline for their sale.
They are being sold off after the collapse of a deal between the charity and the North Norfolk Primary Care Trust (PCT).
Sue Ryder spokesman Steve Taylor said the charity hoped to sell the homes to another care provider in the next three months but would be forced to close if a new owner could not be found.
Staff at the two homes have written to the Queen, patron of the foundation, appealing for her help in securing the homes' futures and removing the air of uncertainty hanging over residents who believed they would live out their lives in the homes.
Both homes have formed committees to run a campaign fighting the closure, which will happen if the homes cannot be sold within the three-month deadline. They plan to take their petitions to 10 Downing Street.
As well as dozens of permanent residents, many of whom need continual care, there are day care visitors and others staying to give a break to their carers.
In addition there are more than 100 staff split between the two properties.
Yesterday residents of the Sue Ryder Home at Snettisham were taken to the church service by minibus and ambulance, some of them so frail they needed two people to help them while others used zimmer frames.
The service at St Mary's Church marked the home's 25th anniversary. They were joined by residents from the Walsingham home, which was opened seven years ago.
Denise Howard, manager of the Snettisham home, said the residents attended the special service with their heads held high.
"They are proud of their past and proud of the achievements over the years," she said.
There are 24 high-dependency residents at Snettisham, a few day-care people and 20 respite-care visitors.
"We have written to the Queen, who officially opened the home, asking for her help in ensuring that we don't have to close down. The residents have been very distressed at the prospect of the home closing," said Mrs Howard.
At Walsingham there are 29 residents - the oldest being 97 - and 65 housekeeping and nursing staff.
The home's support services manager, Jenny Walden, has been appointed secretary of the Have a Heart, Save Our Home campaign.
Source : EPD24
