Abbeyfield: Residents are stressed and in limbo awaiting decision

Abbeyfield has placed 43 properties across England under consultation and in Salisbury, the residents who live at Boldre House and Macgregor House in Manor Road admitted the "stress was getting to them".

Image: Newsquest (Image: Annette J Beveridge Newsquest)

Malcolm Coombs said: “I have enough to worry about with my health. I’m a stroke survivor and most of us are here.

"I was quite prepared to just come here and die but I have been here for nine years now. Why should I be uprooted at 75?”

Judith Daniels who is partially sighted has already had to move home twice. When speaking to the Journal she admitted that she has been advised to increase her medication as her health was suffering.

She said: “I have been told to double my steroid intake for a week because of the stress. I was finding it difficult to walk and my eyes were getting more blurred.”

Image: Newsquest (Image: Newsquest)

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Valerie Jureidini said: “I have aged 10 years overnight. Really, it has affected me. I can’t stand up, I can’t walk. I couldn’t get to the bus stop. I was stuck in the middle of the road. A woman came and helped.”

George Herridge has lived there for five years. He is registered as blind and getting married to another resident at the home.

One concern is that they will be rehomed separately.

He said: “It has all been mismanaged. This place is only 25 years old and from what I can gather, they want to pull it down. The consultation is not by the people here. It is the people who own the place. Abbeyfield – all they want is money. I like it here, but they are not interested in us.”

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The residents had initially thought the meeting with Abbeyfield was to discuss a rent increase instead they were told that the home might close and now are concerned that they will not find anywhere that offers them the same facilities or services they currently get.

A letter sent to residents stated that investment costs across all 43 properties is estimated to be £35 million.

The investment for Macgregor House is anticipated to be £614,100 over a five-year period.

A spokesperson for Abbeyfield said: “As a responsible housing and care provider, Abbeyfield conducts periodic reviews of all of our homes to make sure they remain suitable for residents.

“There are a number of different criteria that were assessed and led to a home being included within the consultation process. One of those criteria was meeting these new regulatory and energy efficiency standards.

“As part of its Clean Growth Strategy, the government has introduced legislation that requires all properties to be as energy efficient as possible. They aim to do so by ensuring all social housing properties reach a minimum Energy Performance Certificate (EPC) rating of C by 2030.”

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Salisbury MP John Glen said: ‘I recently met with residents of MacGregor House, following the announcement of the potential closure of this valued care home in our city. Understandably, residents are anxious, and I want to ensure that Abbeyfield provides their residents with all the support they need throughout the consultation process, and beyond.

“I have written to its CEO, Paul Tennant, to answer some very important questions which constituents have raised and ensure that all viable alternatives are considered.”

Cabinet member for adult social care, Cllr Jane Davies, said, “We will be meeting with the directors of the Abbeyfield Society to ensure that we are kept fully informed of their intentions and that we can fully support the residents with decisions relating to their future.

 “In the event of any closure, our officers will work with the charity to ensure that tenants are offered suitable alternative accommodation.”