Hackney ‘forcing’ older people out

A group of older people with mental health problems have complained
to the local government ombudsman that Hackney Council is forcing
them to move against their wishes.

John Wilder, director of the Psychiatric Rehabilitation
Association, which runs their home, said the seven people aged over
65, some of whom had lived at the home for a decade, were being
told to move because their age meant they needed extra staff during
the night.

Fees per resident would need to be upped from £300 to
£518 to meet additional staff costs and the council has said
the residents should be moved to independent housing.

Wilder said the PRA had paid £12,000 over the past six months
to cover the extra cost of care but would be unable to do so for
much longer.

Hackney Council’s lead member for adult and community social
services, equalities and customer care, Fran Pearson, said the
council planned to meet the PRA to try to resolve the problem.