'˜No beds' for vulnerable woman facing eviction from care home

Karen Bailey’s mum has been a resident at Clyde House in Sedlescombe Road North for over three years.

But on January 17, staff and residents at Clyde House and Leolyn in Pevensey Road, were told by owners New Century Care the homes are to close at the end of March.

Karen’s mum is local authority funded, but with just three weeks to go, social services have yet to find suitable accommodation for the vulnerable 75-year-old.

Karen told the Observer: “I think there’s only about five left at Clyde and mum has really complex needs and there are basically no local authority beds available.”

Karen’s mother, who has dementia and requires 24 hour nursing care, has been offered a bed in a brain injury unit, along with a shared room, which her family feel is inappropriate.

Karen said: “It’s got to the stage now I keep ringing social services and asking if they have found anywhere.

“Mum’s partner does not want her taken out of the Hastings area. But it may be that we have got no choice.”

She added: “It’s heartbreaking. Mum has been on the waiting list at Hastings Court since last July but there are no local authority funded beds available at the moment.”

An East Sussex County Council spokesman said: “For reasons of confidentiality, we don’t comment on individual clients. The primary consideration when offering clients care options is to ensure that we find a placement that meets their assessed, eligible needs.

“Alongside this, we work closely with the client and their family and always take into account their wishes with regard to the accommodation and its location, together with the cost to the taxpayer.

“We appreciate this is a difficult time for residents and families and have been working hard since New Century Care announced the closure in January to ensure appropriate alternative care arrangements are being made for all residents.”

Karen claims that New Century Care has provided ‘no support whatsoever’ in helping her mum find a new home.

A spokesperson for the company said: “Our absolute priority is the health, wellbeing and safety of the residents we care for.

“Throughout this period, our home manager and project team has endeavoured to provide all possible and appropriate support to residents and their loved ones, in collaboration with the council and health care professionals.

“The support we are providing includes: staff members accompanying residents to visit alternative homes, a discretionary fund to cover moving costs, and visiting former residents, where appropriate, at their new home to make sure they are settled in.

“We are continuing to work closely with residents, their loved ones and the local authority to help everyone find a suitable new care placement of their choice.

“The majority of residents have now moved to new placements.”

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