Delegates at GMB’s annual Congress in Bournemouth today heard of the plight of The Green Care Home in Leeds which is facing an uncertain future. Congress called upon Leeds City Council not to close the care home and displace the vulnerable residents.
The council-run care home specialises in dementia care and provides a valuable service to both residents and their families.
Cindy Gavin, GMB delegate from Yorkshire & North Derbyshire Region told Congress: “Over 4000 people have signed an online petition calling for The Green to be saved and hundreds of people have protested and supported a paper petition instigated by East Leeds Labour MP Richard Burgon.
On the 29th April 2016, Leeds City Council’s Scrutiny Board said there was no definite decision to close The Green. On the 13th May 2016, a report by the Quality Care Commission stated, 'The Green provided good quality of care’. However, on the 1st June a statement from Leeds City Council which appeared in the Yorkshire Evening Post said that ‘the council intended to come up with recommendations about the future of the home before the end of the year.”
Richard Burgon, Labour MP for East Leeds said: "The GMB trade union is doing the right thing by service users, families, staff and the local community by campaigning to save The Green care home in Seacroft in East Leeds. The Conservative Government’s ruthless cuts have hit Leeds City Council hard. But I believe that good quality council-run care homes for elderly local residents have to be an absolute priority.
The Care Quality Commission has confirmed that The Green provides better quality care than private sector competitors – including the privately run care home right next door to it. The staff are doing a great job and residents are happy there. I was in The Green the other week, talking with residents, including a 103 year old resident called Dorothy, who used to have a hairdressers’ shop in town.
Turfing out Dorothy and her fellow residents and sending them to an inferior care home they don’t want to go to would be a travesty. And we need to keep The Green open for future residents too. I hope Leeds City Council will work with local people who have loved ones in The Green, the GMB and myself to keep The Green open and in public hands.”
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For further information contact Desiree Wilburn on 07958 156848, Cindy Gavin on 07881 235214 Caroline Jones on 07800 714247
