THIS week has marked the end of an era at Seymour House as the South Eastern Trust confirmed its intention to close the Dunmurry home for elderly people at Christmas.

The closure, plans for which were first revealed in October 2006, is part of the Trust's proposals for the reshaping of services to older people.

They say it will enable resources to be reinvested in a range of community based services including intermediate care, day care, supported housing and domiciliary care services.

Residents and their families and carers have already been advised of the planned closure and meetings will now be arranged on a one to one basis to consider alternative preferred care arrangements.

The Trust says it has also had an initial meeting with staff and further meetings will be arranged to consider long term options.

They also say the closure of the home will take place in a 'phased and planned way to ensure that

the needs of residents and staff are addressed in a sensitive manner'. The Trust has also put in place advocacy arrangements for residents and families to help them in this process.

"This is a sad day for the residents of Seymour House," said Lagan Valley MP Jeffrey Donaldson who was involved in a campaign to keep the Laurel Way home open

"The local community rallied round to support the residents of Seymour House in a bid to keep this important facility open but sadly their pleas have fallen on deaf ears.

"I hope to have a meeting shortly with the Trust to discuss the arrangements they are putting in place to accommodate the elderly residents who live in Seymour House, after all this has been their home for many years."

Ulster Star
26/09/2008