OAPs lose fight to save care home

A £2.3m specialist home facility is to be built on the Troed y Ton site

Two women in their 90s have lost a High Court action to stop a council closing their care home.

Alice Barwick, 99, and Margaret Rusz, 90, said they were not properly consulted about the closure of Troed y Ton home, Kenfig Hill, Bridgend.

But Judge Neil Bidder QC, sitting in Cardiff, ruled Bridgend council carried out a fair and proper consultation.

The local authority welcomed the judgment, saying it "ends a period of great uncertainty for the residents".

Campaigners held demonstrations and gathered 10,000 names for a petition against the closure in September.

An action group was formed and a protest march was held in February.

Campaigners said families were concerned the elderly residents, some of whom have dementia, would find the move "confusing" and "upsetting".

The local authority has said the 40-unit extra care housing that would replace Troed y Ton would offer "high-quality specialist homes for 70 people".

We must remember why we needed to do this - to allow the development of an extra care facility which will offer enormous benefits to many generations to come. Bridgend council leader, Councillor Mel Nott

The council said the £2.3m funding for the housing from the assembly government was "specifically to develop an extra care facility on the Troed y Ton site" and could not be transferred to another site.

Troed y Ton residents are due to move out by September, while the new housing scheme is expected to be completed by April 2011.

Speaking after the judgement, Mrs Rusz's daughter, Barbara Davies, said the situation was "devastating."

Mrs Barwick's son, Roger, said they'd expected to lose, but they wanted to show the council how strongly they felt.

He said there had been heart-rending scenes when residents were moved, and he believed those responsible for closing the home should be there to witness the distress for themselves.

But council leader Councillor Mel Nott welcomed the judge's ruling, saying several residents had already moved from Troed y Ton in the last few months and their health and wellbeing in their new homes would be monitored.

He said: "Closing Troed y Ton was a very difficult decision, which was done after a great deal of consultation and consideration.

"It has always offered an excellent level of care and that is not in question.

"But we must remember why we needed to do this - to allow the development of an extra care facility which will offer enormous benefits to many generations to come."

'Personal circumstances'

He added: "I wish to pay tribute to the dignity with which current and former residents have conducted themselves throughout this period.

"I know this has been a particularly difficult time for them but I want to reassure them that they are, and always have been, our greatest priority and they will continue to be offered the highest quality of support.

"Their move to new homes will be done with every consideration for their personal circumstances and at a pace which is comfortable to each individual."

The council said the new housing will for the first time allow the county borough, couples who wish to remain living together once one partner's care or health needs have changed, can do so.