Fears resident will not survive care home closure

The daughter of a woman who is in a closing care home says she fears she will not survive being moved.

Dorothy Graham, 92, is one of just a handful of residents still in Moot Lodge in Brampton, Cumbria.

Her daughter, Fiona Dryden from Newcastle, has campaigned to keep it open, describing the consultation as "a sham".

Cumberland Council said the home had inadequate facilities, no safe outdoor space and the "ageing building" was too expensive to refurbish.

Almost 300 people took part in a public consultation about the future of Moot Lodge, with 86% of them against its closure.

In addition, 673 people signed an online petition, calling for the home to stay open and saying it was "an important part of the town".

But Cumberland Council pressed ahead with the closure, saying it was in the best interests of the residents.

It is understood the home will close its doors in September.

Ms Dryden still does not know when her mother will be moved, or where, but says she is "really worried".

"She went to Moot Lodge as an emergency placement and we could have moved her nearer to us here in Newcastle, but the home was just brilliant so we decided to leave her there, even though it's quite a journey to get there," she said.

"But the staff are just amazing, they're always doing activities, it's just such a happy place".

"I honestly think moving her will finish her off, that's what I told the consultation and I stand by that view," she added.

In a statement Cumberland Council said: "We recognise the challenges that the closure of Moot Lodge represents to the people living there.

"Our social work and care teams are working closely with each person, and their families, to ensure an appropriate alternative care provider can be identified and their safety and wellbeing will be paramount throughout this move."

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