Conservatives to leave Eastbourne's elderly and vulnerable out in the cold with closure of St Anthony's Court

8.00.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 30th Jun 2009

Local Lib Dems have slammed the Conservative County Council's decision to close one the last remaining County Council care homes in Eastbourne.

Popular care home St Anthony's Court on St Anthony's Avenue has provided much-needed respite care services to Eastbourne's elderly and vulnerable over many years. The County Council has decided to close the home and place its patients in private care.

Commenting on the decision, Eastbourne Lib Dem parliamentary campaigner Stephen Lloyd said, "I was shocked to learn that the Conservatives have broken their promises over the future of this much-needed care home."

"Local people will question why the Conservative-run County Council decided to wait until after the recent local elections to reveal details of the planned closure. Clearly it would have meant them losing even more of their seats at the election than they did. These are exactly the sort of underhand tactics that put the public off politicians. I am calling on the County Council to think again and reconsider their decision. Eastbourne needs more respite homes not fewer!"

Eastbourne Council Leader David Tutt added, "St Anthony's Court also provides a much needed convalescence facility for people who have left hospital but who are not yet ready to return to independent living. Taking this away could lead to longer hospital waiting lists. Not only are the County Council risking patient care, they are putting local jobs on the line."