Newhaven: Anguish over old people's home closure

And 14 elderly residents must now be found new homes.

An era will end on June 30 when Haven House shuts after more than 20 years.

Director Norman Upton, 54, said inadequate care funding for current residents and no cash available for new ones had forced the closure.

'We have been fighting the problem for five years. Since last November we have been running with six empty beds. We have now ended up with nine empty beds and no funding available to fill them.

'We have always relied heavily on funding because Newhaven is not a rich area. Over the last 18 months we have just had no referrals to fill beds and we could no longer carry on.'

Over the past two decades thousands of elderly people have been cared for at Haven House in Western Road, formally the Newhaven harbour master s house.

But in recent years residential care home owners have complained about funding cutbacks.

While politicians argued, the elderly paid the price, said Mr Upton. 'The county council blames the Government and Government blames the county council while the people who stay here suffer.'

Homes must be found for 14 residents. But for some it will be a traumatic experience to leave their home and friends.

Mr Upton said: 'Some are tough old ladies, but for some it is quite frightening.'

The daughter of a pensioner who has been at Haven House for six years said: 'I will have to look for another home. My mother does not want to leave. She is very happy there. It will be a terrible wrench.'

She said relatives were also concerned about the distances they would now be forced to travel to visit their loved ones.

Mr Upton added: 'Relatives have had great trouble in finding places for them. Most have been moved to Peacehaven and Seaford.'

A spokeswoman for East Sussex County Council said budget restraints and the Government s wish for old people to be cared for in their own homes meant no money was available to pay for care at homes like Haven House.

Published: 22.6.01 Sussex Newspapers Ltd