HEALTH bosses showed “a lack of dignity, respect and compassion” by closing a dementia nursing home.

Relatives, carers and patients reliant upon Meadow Court in Goodmayes face an uncertain future after Redbridge CCG decided to close the home following a consultation.

The CCG argued that not enough beds were being used and that contract with Care UK will not be renewed because “it does not offer value for money.”

Care UK and the CCG had a contract to pay for 48 of the 70 beds in the home to care for local people who have dementia and need full-time nursing care. Fourteen of those beds are being used.

The remaining 22 beds are used by other NHS groups and local authorities. Seven of these beds are being used.

Bosses claim 17 homes within four miles of Meadow Court provide the same service.

Jon Abrams, a volunteer at One Place East, claimed concerns voiced by people affected by the decision were not acknowledged by health chiefs.

He said: “Dementia patients and older people have human rights too. The board's decision to in effect eject dementia patients from their homes is a tragedy.

"I was shocked at the way in which relatives and carers of loved ones at Meadow Court were treated at the recent CCG governing body meeting.

“To all extents and purposes, the voice of carers and patients were ignored, demonstrating a lack of dignity, respect and compassion.”

Empty beds cost the NHS £2.44 million a year.

Mr Abrams claimed the CCG’s board did not address questions about the consequences of moving.

He said: “The board ignored many of the pertinent questions about the quality of care, health outcomes following relocation, and the standard of local care homes.”

“Even if a transfer is carried out well, there are risks. Minimising transfer trauma necessitates an ongoing piece of work involving the whole system.”

Dr Raj Kumar, mental health clinical lead for the CCG said: “After careful consideration, including feedback from our public consultation, our governing body decided to end the contract for beds at Meadow Court nursing home.

“GPs agreed that those residents of Meadow Court, funded by us, can be safely and appropriately cared for in other homes, and that the contract with Care UK for Meadow Court nursing home does not offer value for money for the local NHS.

“We will now support the remaining residents and their families – as we have already done with others – to choose which home they would like their loved-one to move to.”

The decision was taken on Thursday, November 30. The consultation closed on Friday, October 27.

One Place East is a disability charity based in Ilford.