PATIENTS at a threatened rehab centre are being urged to move elsewhere despite an ongoing consultation on its future, it is claimed.

Highams Court rehabilitation unit treats people recovering from serious injury or illness, but it could be closed down after the NHS commissioned a review of services.

And families of permanent residents at the centre in Friars Close, Chingford, claim they are being encouraged to move their relatives into private care homes before the consultation ends on August 1.

Judy Streight, of Chingford Avenue in Chingford, said she has been contacted three times by a NHS patient liaison officer offering help to choose a new care home for her 91-year-old mother, Ethel Cousins, who has dementia.

Mrs Streight, 62, said: "I'm totally shocked, we're disgusted.

"They've told us that if patients don't go now they won't get the choice of homes they want and also that if they move they will get a better standard of care, which is an appalling thing to be saying before anything's decided.

"It seems like the consultation is a joke. It's a foregone conclusion, I think they're going to close it regardless of what people say. Even so, I'm not looking until the last day, when we hear what's happening."

There were eight people living at the centre with long-term conditions but one has already been moved to another care home.

This is despite families claiming they were told the centre would be a home for loved ones for the rest of their lives.

Mrs Streight's brother, Trevor Cousins, 60, from Garfield Road, said a home would not be as suitable for his mother.

"They won't understand her needs because they haven't grown with her to know what's she's like. The care here has been excellent and she trusts the staff, which is very important. We've spoken with other families and none of us are happy about this," he added.

Mrs Streight has now written to the majority of GPs in the area asking them to recommend the NHS rejects the proposal to close the unit.

An NHS spokesman said: "No decision has been taken to close Highams Court.

"As part of the ongoing public consultation on proposals to improve the quality of community care in Waltham Forest we are actively seeking the views of residents, their families, carers, staff and other interested groups and cannot prejudge that consultation.

"Our discussions with residents and families have been welcomed and our staff are supporting and helping them to understand the types of home provision available. Some families and patients have asked to visit other homes so they can compare them with Highams Court."

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