News Release

20th March 2007

PETITION PRESENTED TO P.M. ON STAFFORDSHIRE CARE HOME CLOSURES

Yesterday afternoon (19th March) Michael Fabricant accompanied Mrs Elaine Kirkham (who had raised a petition against care home closures in Staffordshire particularly Oakdene Day Centre in Chaseterrace and two residential homes in Burntwood), wheelchair bound Kenneth Egerton aged 83 (a disabled user of Oakdene), and 15 year old Joe Bradbury-Kirkham (representing the Young Carers' Association of South Staffordshire) to present the petition with around 2,000 names to Tony Blair at Number 10 Downing Street.

Michael now says: "The announcement of the closures of residential care homes and day centres by Staffordshire County Council has been handled in a crass and cruel way. Residents of care homes, their relatives and carers do not know what alternative arrangements are available for them. No obvious alternative has been offered to many residents who still need 24 hour care.

"Imagine being a vulnerable 80 or 90 year old in a care home with no relatives to look after you. Imagine how they must feel about the upheaval and uncertainty facing their future. This should have been handled so much more professionally. The County has much to answer.

"When other petitions are raised for care homes in my constituency, I will submit them to the Secretary of State for Health, Patricia Hewitt, and will ask her for a written response to this debacle."

Photographs show Mrs Elaine Kirkham, Kenneth Egerton in wheelchair holding the petition with Joe Bradbury-Kirkham and Michael outside Number 10.