Lamb calls for meeting to discuss future of Sue Ryder Care Homes

4.24.11pm GMT Tue 20th Dec 2005

Following a meeting with the Chief Executive of Sue Ryder Care last week, Liberal Democrat MP Norman Lamb has written to the North Norfolk Primary Care Trust (PCT) to express his concerns over the potential loss of the Old Vicarage, Walsingham.

Sue Ryder Care told Mr Lamb last week of details of a 2003 arrangement between the central Norfolk PCTs and Sue Ryder Care, which was based on 8 referrals per year to the two centres in Walsingham and Snettisham. "Their anticipation was that it could be as many as 12 referrals per year," says Mr Lamb. "They say that there have actually only been two appropriate referrals from North Norfolk PCT. Only two out of eight from the whole cluster of PCTs were appropriate under the terms of the referral agreement."

"I was very concerned at what I was told about the apparent failure of the arrangement in 2003 and my purpose is to explore the possibility of persuading Sue Ryder Care that a relationship with the PCTs in Norfolk can work and that the units at Walsingham and Snettisham can be retained particularly for specialist neurological cases.

"Sue Ryder Care stressed to me that what they are seeking to achieve is a partnership with the PCTs and Social Services which can effectively deliver this specialist type of care which is greatly needed in the County.

"I feel it is important to arrange a meeting without delay to find a way forward, and I hope that a meeting can be fixed early in the new year between the PCT, Sue Ryder Care, Social Services and the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital. Above all else I want to see if there is a way of keeping Sue Ryder Care running both homes."

Concerns over the possible closure of both the Old Vicarage, and the Old Hall in Snettisham, have arisen since it was revealed that Sue Ryder Care is losing over £2million a year on the two homes. Sue Ryder Care have set a 3 month period from 8th November to try to identify an alternative provider who could purchase the Old Vicarage at Walsingham, and the Old Hall at Snettisham. If this is unsuccessful then the properties would be sold on the open market.