MEMBERS of the Carlisle Socialist Party have hit out at cuts made to care homes in the county - on the eve of a new one opening this week.

The group have again called on Cumbria county council to build at least two more care homes in the county, after claims that more than 100 beds have been removed with the merging of three care homes into one in Carlisle.

The new facility, at Burnrigg Court in Morton, will be formally opened by council chiefs later today, and marks the end of a £6 million project by the authority.

But the opening will be met with protestors from the Carlisle Socialist Party, who will hold a peaceful demonstration prior to the event, which takes place at 2.30pm.

Brent Kennedy, secretary of the party’s Carlisle branch, told the News & Star: “By replacing three care homes with only one new one, Cumbria county council have got rid of half the places for vulnerable old folk in Carlisle.

“County wide they are taking away most beds – 137 out of the previous 257, leaving just 120.

“Why are they keeping this hidden from the public?”

Mr Kennedy claimed that county councillors are “proudly” congratulating themselves on the improved standards in the new home in Morton, and added they have been forced to catch up by the Care Quality Commission.

“We welcome these improvements, of course – but for everybody who needs them, not just half,” he said.

“What is going to happen to those vulnerable old people who were previously looked after 24 hours a day?

“They will be left on their own at home all night, afraid and incontinent, with a series of brief visits next day to clean them up again, serve them another microwave ready meal and their pills, then leave them lonely and isolated again.

“Where are the places now for respite care for full-time family carers or short-term recuperation from hospital when there is a shortage of NHS beds? So-called “care in the community” just means the council sneaking away from its responsibility.”

Mr Kennedy added: “1,500 local people supported the Socialist Party campaign to stop these cuts, which we took to the council cabinet. We now call on the council to increase the training and wages of exploited care workers to enable them to make longer and better home visits.”

The News & Star contacted Deborah Earl, cabinet member for public health and community services at Cumbria County Council for a response to the claims, but hadn’t received one by the time we went to press.