Sheerness: Protest after care home closure

A protest has taken place against the recent closure of a care home in Kent.

Locals and family members of former residents of Blackburn Lodge in Sheerness, Kent, say the local authority did not consider the impact of the closure on residents.

Residents were moved to alternative accommodation after the home was closed by the council earlier this month.

Kent County Council (KCC) said unsafe levels of iron in the home's water supply forced the immediate closure.

The protest was organised by Labour councillor for Swale Borough Council Dolley Wooster, who said: "We want our residents to come home and make sure that the public view is taken into consideration before any decision is taken about closing any of our community assets."

KCC said in a statement: "Recent water purity tests at Blackburn Lodge care home on the Isle of Sheppey confirmed that iron levels in the water supply have risen in contradiction of Health and Safety regulations and as a direct result, regrettably, the care home will close as of immediate effect.

"Members of staff and relative unions are currently being consulted and supported with the intention that staff affected will be redeployed."

Beverley Sawyer's mother Rita Bronger, 92, has advanced dementia and was living at Blackburn Lodge before being relocated to Tenterden with 48-hours notice.

Mrs Sawyer said: "I think it's disgusting. They're [KCC] just looking at numbers not people.

"They're not looking at all the residents and relatives or staff. They haven't thought about any of those."

Mrs Sawyer's husband David told BBC Radio Kent his mother-in-law is refusing to eat and drink and the change in routine has impacted her.

Another protestor, Richard Palmer, who is an Independent councillor at Swale Borough Council, said: "I just feel that this sort of closure of the elderly care services at Blackburn Lodge is a step too far.

"It's going to put people at risk and it's another closure on Sheppey which people in Maidstone seem to just do willy-nilly as if Sheppey doesn't count."

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