Simon Danczuk urges Charity Minister to look into care home closure

Simon Danczuk meets resident Steven Parkhill during a visit to Honresfeld Leonard Cheshire Care Home in Littleborough

Rochdale MP Simon Danczuk has urged the Government’s Charity Minister to look into a controversial decision to close a disability care home.

Honresfeld Leonard Cheshire Care Home in Littleborough is due to close in May, forcing the 22 residents and their families to arrange alternative accommodation.

http://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/100689/leonard-cheshire-disability-announces-closure-of-littleborough-care-home

Leonard Cheshire Disability, the charity which operates Honresfeld, has claimed that staffing and maintenance costs mean the home is no longer financially viable.

Mr Danczuk, who has praised the excellent level of care provided at the home, has called for the charity to explore other options to keep the home open.

Raising the issues in a Parliamentary debate, Mr Danczuk said: “I visited the home last month and was truly taken aback by the lengths to which the staff will go to help their patients.

“However, Leonard Cheshire has decided to close the home, which is devastating for the patients, families and nurses. May we have a debate on the priorities of such charities?”

Speaking afterwards he added: “It is disappointing that Leonard Cheshire Disability have decided to close instead of looking for alternatives.

“I think everyone in Rochdale would like to see Honresfeld stay open and perhaps even expand into a regional hub of excellence.

“An outside observer might conclude that the charity bosses have already made up their minds to cash in on the property value of the home rather than fighting to keep this wonderful facility in the community.

“As well as raising the matter during a House of Commons debate, I have written to Charities Minister Rob Wilson to ask him to look into the issue.”