Crosfield House, Rhayader (Kirsty Williams AM )

Cymraeg
English

Kirsty Williams AM <info@kirstywilliams.org.uk>

Crosfield House, Rhayader

August 7, 2009 12:00 AM
By Kirsty Williams AM in County Times 7th August 2009

We had all hoped that after the very widespread and public campaign last year to keep Crosfield House in Rhayader open that the care home had been saved, at the very least for another year. After the successful campaign the Royal British Legion (RBL) reviewed their closure plans and committed to giving the home a year to address its 'issues', promising to keep local people informed of developments. Since that time the only 'communication' has been in the form of a formal report in March stating that Crosfield House was set to meet all of its targets and therefore confirmed that the home was indeed resolving the mainly financial concerns that had put it's future on the line. Yet last week with absolutely no prior warning the RBL made the unexpected announcement that it intends to put the home on the market in 30 days time and if an alternative provider is not found to buy the home then it will put the site on the open market.

It is deeply saddening that the RBL has decided to turn its back on Crosfield house with no apparent justification or consultation. This is the RBL's only care home in Wales and at a time when the British Government is rightly being criticised for failing in its duty of care to our ex-service men and women, it is a further blow that the charity set up to support and protect the interests of veterans is pursuing this course of action.

The news is a massive hit to the Rhayader community and North Radnorshire as a whole, which now face the loss of a vital care facility and a large number of essential jobs. For the ex-service men and women, currently residing in the home, the closure will be a tragedy. Many of the elderly and frail residents are cared for in the specialist EMI unit, and I fear that the stress of any move could be too much to bear so late in their lives and indeed an act of cruelty and disrespect.

Roger Williams MP, local Cllr Kelvyn Curry and I are all working hard with the local community and town council to do all we can to safeguard Crosfield's future. We have met with Phil Robson, Executive Director of People Services at Powys County Council and are calling for the council to do all it can. I have written to the Welsh Assembly Minister for Social Services calling for her support to maintain the home. Roger and I have made representations to the RBL and Roger has met with a representative from the RBL's board of directors appealing for them to reconsider their decision or in the instance that they are determined to turn their back on Powys that they offer the property at a realistic price so that another care provider can take it over. I truly hope that a workable alternative can be found for the sake of the home's residents, employees and the local community.