Campaigners back Woodside Lodge residents!

Families of residents met last night with campaigners supporting them in their fight to stop Southampton City Council closing down Woodside Lodge Care Home at Maybush. The meeting was alarmed to hear the attempts by the Council to put pressure on the families of residents who do not wish to leave their home. Council Leader Simon Letts gave a public undertaking that no one would be forced to move against their will. We call on him to honour that pledge.

Campaign organiser Linda Hayes said:

“It remains the case that there is nowhere better in the city for the care and protection of dementia sufferers. Those residents of Woodside Lodge who wish to stay, and their families, have the full support of the campaign. Hundreds of people have signed our petition. We will continue lobbying councillors and MP Alan Whitehead to back the campaign and we are also seeking legal advice on the rights of residents to stay.”

Sign the online campaign petition here: http://tinyurl.com/ln5gwlo

Speaking at the meeting, Councillor Keith Morrell said:

“In recent days politicians of all persuasions have been falling over themselves to make promises about providing quality health care for all. They all now have a chance to put their money where their mouths are and demand that the City Council withdraw the threat to close down Woodside Lodge. At the Lodge we have caring, highly-trained and experienced staff providing the best care possible for dementia sufferers in the city. The Council is currently carrying out a consultation of staff and we call on Cabinet member Councillor Dave Shields and his Labour colleagues to postpone their final decision until after the elections and join with us in campaigning for the incoming government to give full support to funding Woodside Lodge and free nursing care to all who need it.”

Nick Chaffey, the TUSC Parliamentary Candidate for Southampton Test said:

“Caring for our vulnerable and elderly population should be a priority for this Council. Disillusioned voters want to see candidates live up to their promises: words are cheap. I call on all the Parliamentary Candidates in Southampton Test and all the candidates standing for election to Southampton City Council to give their full backing to the families of the remaining residents of Woodside Lodge.”