Hundreds protest planned closure of Eastbourne care homes

Residents, councillors, and the town’s MP met outside Milton Grange in Old Town – one of the threatened care homes besides Firwood House in Hampden Park – on Saturday afternoon (March 3).

MP Stephen Lloyd, who has spoken out against the proposals and organised the protest, said, “Eastbourne will not allow these two homes to close. They perform vital and much needed services to many local residents across our town and beyond.”

And speaking after the protest, Mr Lloyd added, “To have more than 200 people here, in spite of the weather, sends a clear message to the County Council, and especially the two senior Eastbourne county councillors David Elkin and Colin Belsey, that they cannot allow the closure of these outstanding facilities.

“They need to make it crystal clear to their Conservative colleagues on ESCC, who appear determined to ram home this totally wrongheaded proposal, that both Milton Grange and Firwood House must be kept open.

“These exceptional care providers offer crucial dementia respite services and rehabilitation services to hundreds of local people; thousands over the years!

“Saturday demonstrated just how much Milton Grange and Firwood House services are valued by many. We will simply not stand idly by and allow East Sussex County Council to close them.

“The demonstration, along with more than 9,000 people who have signed our petition, is the tip of the iceberg of those who support our campaign; so I advise Councillors Elkin and Belsey to listen to the views of local people, talk to their colleagues in Lewes and Save our Homes.”

The care homes face closure under plans by East Sussex County Council to save money. Their plans are currently under public consultation, with the final decision to be made in the coming months.

The link for the consultation is available here.

And to read more about the proposed closures, click here or here.