ROMSEY’S MP is backing controversial plans to close the town’s Nightingale Lodge residential care home, which she says does not meet 21st century standards.

Hampshire’s social care chiefs have earmarked Nightingale and three other of its care homes for closure and replacement with them with privately-run “extra care” sheltered accommodation.

They claim it will be cheaper to replace than modernise the homes , which also include Cranleigh Paddock, at Lyndhurst, Deeside, in Basingstoke and Bulmer House, at Petersfield.

However, campaigners, including unions and Hampshire UKIP councillors fighting the closures, claim statistics show that mortality rates are high when people are moved from one care home to another. They argue that the existing homes could be upgraded.

Speaking after a guided tour of Nightingale Lodge, the town’s MP, Caroline Nokes, said: “It is not possible to make adequate changes to the existing facility to bring it up to the standards required. “The rooms are too small, the layout includes a number of dead ends which can cause distress for those in the early stages of dementia and there are shared lavatory facilities for men and women because there are no en suite rooms. In the 21st century, that is simply not acceptable.

Mrs Nokes added: “For the home to be adapted to meet the modern requirements, it would require such substantial remodelling that it would not be possible for it to be carried out with existing residents in situ, they would have to be moved elsewhere, and the current building demolished. I have no doubt that the standard of care at Nightingale Lodge is of the highest quality, but the facilities are simply inadequate.”

The MP, whose father, Roy Perry, is leader of Hampshire County Council, pointed out that it was clear from the council’s consultation process that the way forward was to modernise care facilities across Hampshire and allow people to stay in their own homes longer.

“I have met a number of local couples where one partner is disabled and with care needs, yet the other is relatively able bodied, although elderly. Extra Care enables couples to stay together and have as great an element of independence as possible, whilst providing supported living,” concluded Ms Nokes.

Campaigner, Pat Kelly, who has a relative at Nightingale Lodge, has challenged Ms Nokes’s views that the home is not fit for purpose. “The shared toilets and bathrooms are huge and separate and the residents are usually taken there and supervised by staff.

“Southampton General Hospital has shared toilets, but nobody is suggesting that is demolished,” added an angry Mrs Kelly, who has written to Ms Nokes about planned closures.

“The rooms are all equipped with hospital beds, unlike most of the private homes around. These can be raised to shoulder height for ease of care, or lowered to very near the ground. Mobile hoists can be used in the rooms and staff, unless they are very large, can get to both sides of the beds in all rooms.”

Hampshire’s safe and healthy select committee will consider the proposals on November 22 and the county’s cabinet is due to have the final say on December 9.

However, Hampshire’s Baddesley division member and the authority’s Lib Dem spokesman on adult social care, Alan Dowden, wants the full council to make the decision rather than the cabinet.

He’s now calling on leader, Roy Perry, to agree to it.

Mr Dowden said: “In light of the huge public interest over the proposals the decision should be made by the full council, whether to close all or any of the homes.

“This must happen in order that the public can feel confident that a democratic decision has been made and all councillors have had the opportunity to debate and vote on this decision.”