A PROTESTER fighting to save a care home from closure has accused Reigate MP Crispin Blunt of "washing his hands" of the campaign.
"Ageing" Park Hall in Reigate and Dormers in Caterham – plus four other homes in Surrey – could be closed under plans being proposed by the county council.
Mr Blunt was lobbied by some of those fighting to save Park Hall – but he has declined to support them. He told them in a letter: "I am not minded to intervene on this issue because I believe Surrey County Council's actions are correct and in the best interests of older adults in our community."
Mr Blunt said he sought senior county councillors' advice before he concluded that some of Park Hall's facilities were dated.
The MP explained: "I understand Park Hall cannot provide some of the services which have become commonplace and necessary in modern times."
Amanda Weston, whose Save Park Hall Facebook page has more than 1,050 members, said: "It feels like Mr Blunt has washed his hands of us. He should be representing the views of his constituents."
Meanwhile fears are mounting the future of the two local homes may have already been decided.
Caterham on the Hill Parish Council said its public meeting last month heard many concerns that the closure option was already cut and dried.
In a statement it said: "The overwhelming message at the meeting was that the quality of care in Dormers was far superior to that in the private sector.
"The closure to admissions [to Dormers] since August, with the consequent under-occupancy, was seen as evidence of a conspiracy to slant the evidence towards the closure option.
"[And] the online consultation survey asks questions which indicate that a preferred option is already decided upon."
It said it could help enable a consortium to look at expanding the site, therefore generating income for the cash-strapped county council.
A Surrey County Council spokesman replied: "We are helping many more people stay in their own homes until much later in life. Increasingly they need round-the-clock nursing when they do go into care. Our ageing homes are finding it harder to provide this, which is why we are asking people for their views."
The consultation on the homes' future closes tomorrow (Friday).
County council leader David Hodge has insisted no decisions have yet been made.
