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MP TO PROBE OAP EVICTION
Commons report raises concerns over rights of elderly in care
AN MP leading a Parliamentary probe into the human rights of elderly people is to investigate the closure of a Marylebone old people’s home.
Andrew Dismore MP, a former leader of the opposition in Westminster Council, is chairman of the joint select committee into Human Rights.
His 112-page document, published on Wednesday, focuses on the “scandalous” mortality rates faced by elderly people forced to leave their homes.
It calls for “urgent” changes to the Human Rights Act to better protect elderly people against eviction.
The West End Extra last night (Thursday) forwarded details of the closure of Macintosh House in Beaumont Street to the Labour MP for Hendon.
The old people’s home was closed in March for health and safety reasons and 28 elderly residents were told to pack their bags for other homes against their wishes.
Three residents have died since they heard of the plans.
Mr Dismore said: “During our investigations we were alarmed and concerned by how little protection care home residents appear to have against eviction, as compared to ordinary tenants in rented accommodation.
“Rectifying this anomaly should be considered as a matter of urgency.”
The council last week ordered luxuries be removed from Macintosh House in Marylebone in an attempt to oust Sante Zanello who refuses to leave.
The council took his TV and cancelled his television licence.
It is believed the council will seek a court order to remove him in the next few months.
Sam Heath, spokesman for Age Concern, said: “The report states that the mortality rates for elderly people that are moved out of their homes is scandalous. We would like to see council’s check individual records of residents in care homes before they are moved.”
“What the report has found is that the rights of elderly people living in care homes is not currently protected. The committee says individual cases must now be investigated by an independent third party, rather than self-investigation by the council.”
Westminster council is now planning to shunt 20 elderly residents from their homes in Bridgefield House, Bayswater.
Opposition Leader Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg this week wrote to the Westminster’s chief executive Peter Rogers to ask if the council would be “adopting the same mean-spirited approach to residents in Bridgefield House, who oppose the council’s attempts to force them out of their homes.”
A council spokesman said: “We always carry our a risk assessment of vulnerable people we are aware of and those brought to our attention. This will involve medical professionals such as nurses and GPs.” |
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