I WOULD like to pen a thank you, firstly to the press for allowing letters relating to the closures to be published and also, on behalf of the elderly residents, a big thank-you to the people of Blackpool and the Fylde for their continued support in trying to keep the eight homes open.

I must say I have never seen such a massive response from the public over any other issue -- it has touched the hearts of thousands.

These proposed home closures have been prepared secretly for years.

The first indication we who work in them had was when the director of social services Steve Pullen, ordered managers of all the eight homes to cease admitting any permanent residents and that was many months ago.

The reason for that was so that the homes would gradually become under-occupied and then that situation could be used as one of the reasons to close them -- a crafty under-hand move, but very effective. It was hoped then that it would strengthen the council's point -- that as the care home were not filling any more, it was obvious that people were preferring to stay in their own homes and be looked after by the community care scheme. This of course is not true.

When people reach a stage in their life when they are no longer able to look after themselves, then that choice has gone. They have to retire into a care home.

For those who are fit and well, then it is obvious they would prefer to stay in their own home. Who wouldn't?

But they will have to be quite agile, because community care is extremely limited, morning, lunch, evening and night if they are lucky, and a visit will only last half-an-hour. So in a week, the cover is "hands on" for only 14 hours. After that the person will spend the other 154 hours alone. So as I say they will have to be fit.

Coun Bancroft then said the move of residents to private homes was an improvement for the council as it is cheaper to house someone in the private sector.

But this situation is shortly due to change as the Government are considering making the costs equal in private and council homes.

So there will be no benefit in moving the residents from their present homes.

And finally, Mr Bancroft then used the famous £4million cost to update the homes as a reason to close them. Well, this is now looking rather pathetic, as the public is becoming aware that the new Government guidelines for basic standards in rest homes, mainly deals with the care aspect, and on that score, the council homes are well out in front.

If any alterations are necessary then the Government's seven year time allowance will provide Mr Bancroft with ample time to request various builders and surveyors to determine exactly what needs doing and each give their estimate of the cost.

I am sure that the amount will be nowhere near the four million estimate.

So, in conclusion I once again thank-you all for your determination that these homes should not close.

There is no reason to, not for many years yet, so it is now hoped that Mr Bancroft will look long and hard at these proposals and listen to the people of Blackpool -- after all, that is his job.

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