News Release

22nd April 2007

CARE HOMES PROTEST RALLY

Around 250 protesters marched through Lichfield yesterday (Saturday 21st April) against the closure of care homes in Staffordshire. Michael Fabricant says "The decision to close all residential care homes in Staffordshire by the end of 2008 and all day centres by the end of 2009 was controversial from the very start and was only passed at County with a majority of one. If Labour councillors who supported this decision were in any doubt about the strength of feeling about this decision, they won't be now. I am proud of everyone who talk part in this march through Lichfield.

"The Staffordshire branch of RAGE - Relatives Action Group for the Elderly - are helping me prepare a dossier to present to the Local Government Ombudsman to determine if there has been misconduct by the County Council. I will also initiate a major debate in the House of Commons on this subject which is of national interest.

"The mortality among elderly people forced to move home is very high and the way the County has addressed this whole issue has been heartless. As RAGE say: 'Changing lives equals Ending lives'."