Anne-Marie Trevelyan, the MP for Berwick-upon-Tweed, has raised concerns that the elderly in North Northumberland might be being directed to stay in their own homes rather than look to residential care.
Anne-Marie Trevelyan attended the "Save Seton Care" public meeting at the William Elder Building in Berwick on Friday and has held discussions with campaigners, as well as representatives from Northumberland County Council and Berwickshire Housing Association, over the threatened closure of the care home. Berwickshire Housing Home, who own Seton Care, have maintained that they cannot afford to continue to run Seton Hall principally due to the loss of their block booking from Northumberland County Council and under-occupancy.
She said; "when I first heard of this issue of under-occupancy, it seemed counter-intuitive to me given the rapidly ageing population and the excellent reputation Seton Hall enjoys. I am concerned that there might be a direction for care managers to encourage elderly people to stay in their homes rather than look to residential care. Naturally, people wish to live independently for as long as possible but this can be a lonely experience and not provide them with the necessary care. The key thing is that care managers should be discussing elderly people's individual needs with them and their families and not directing or encouraging them in one direction".
Anne-Marie Trevelyan has requested specific data from Northumberland County Council and has appealed for anyone with experience of this situation to come forward to her, in confidence, to help her build a stronger picture. She has also asked the Council to provide some professional guidance and support to help Seton Care staff look at the possibility of a management buyout.
Contact Anne-Marie Trevelyan by email; [email protected].