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Old people’s home ‘deliberately run down’
HOUSING chiefs stand accused of deliberately allowing an old people’s home in Bayswater to fall into a state of disrepai.
Vulnerable elderly residents living in Bridgefield House, Queensway, were told by letter in July of plans to bulldoze their homes.
A council official visited the 20-flat block a day later – but left “with a flea in his ear” according to angry residents.
This week Labour councillors pointed to a council-commissioned architects’ report in 2002 that recommended the building be upgraded and kept open.
It stated that “the retention of the scheme is the most viable strategic option for Westminster Council” and that “the scheme will remain viable provided required improvements are completed.” But the improvements – that include wheelchair ramps, replacement windows, refurbished kitchens and a laundry service – were not made.
Five years after the report Steve Moore, deputy director of housing, has said: “The City Council commissioned experts in the field of elderly care to look at the facilities on offer at Bridgefield House and they have concluded it does not meet the standards we expect to achieve for our older people.”
Councillor Paul Dimoldenberg, leader of the Labour group said: “Bridgefield House can continue to provide high quality accommodation for older people but the Conservatives are deliberately ignoring the advice that they have had from their architectural consultants for over five years.
“Older residents should be treated with respect and dignity and Bridgefield House should be upgraded and continue to provide a decent home for the elderly.”
Rosemary Westbrook, the council’s director for housing, said: “Although Bridgefield House is fine for active older people it has no specialist facilities and anyone living there has to be able to climb stairs as it doesn’t have the type of access arrangements some older residents require.
“It’s important to consider this, since a very high number of older people seeking specialist housing have increasing mobility problems.
“We have been consulting widely on a ‘Strategy for Older People: Housing with Care’ which indicates that we need to make changes to the way we provide supported housing for our growing number of older residents. What we provide needs to meet the highest standards, particularly in terms of appropriate access and better all-round facilities. CityWest Homes will be working with the council to make sure that supported housing for older residents meets the best possible standards by 2012." |
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