Catherine West MP MP for Hornsey & Wood Green and Labour Candidate for Hornsey & Friern Barnet
I’m disgusted at the news that the new owner of the Mary Feilding Guild has told the residents they need to leave by the end of May. This is a shocking way to treat vulnerable older residents, giving them eviction notices in the midst of a pandemic. I’ve met virtually with residents of Mary Feilding Guild on a number of occasions to hear their concerns and offer my support and you can read my letters to the Care Minister and Haringey Council’s Chief Executive below.
Older people have endured a lonely year, often feeling helpless and ignored. These Guild residents should be able to remain in their homes and I’ll do everything I can to support them.
On Thursday 15 April I presented my petition in Parliament and that same week The Guardian published my letter on the appalling insecurity that still exists for elderly care home residents.
Read the full text of the petition presented to Parliament here
On Monday 26 April, I finally received a response from the Minister to my representations. Sadly it offers nothing to help these elderly residents. Read the response here.
On Thursday 27 May I received this formal response from the Care Minister to the petition I presented in Parliament:
Observations from the Minister for Care (Helen Whately):
The Government believe that local authorities are best placed to manage changes in care providers within their local market.
Local authorities should have appropriate plans in place to minimise any disruption of services if a provider exits the market. They are in the best position to find a local solution, with the minimum possible disruption, that meets people’s needs and choices. Their priority will be residents and their families during what can be a difficult time.
Those with care and support needs should be reassured that they should not suffer a gap in their care service—even if their care is funded privately. The Care Act 2014 places a temporary duty on local authorities to ensure that people continue to receive the care and support they need, including people who fund their own care, if a provider exits the market.
The Government understand the care provider is working closely with Haringey Council which has been supporting the provider in finding alternative accommodation for residents.
Here’s the first article about the proposed closure in the Ham & High
Follow-up article in the Ham & High
Further follow-up article in the Ham & High
Sunday Times article “Literary elders in shock as Mary Feilding Guild is sold off
The Guardian: London care home residents given three months to leave
I’ve also written to the Charity Commission to ask them to review whether due diligence procedures were followed at every stage of the sale process. Read my letter here.