News
Ivor Newton House to close
Rob Hughes Aug 6 2008, 11:14am
Resident becomes ill and is taken to hospital at shock decision
As proposed, The Musicians Benevolent Fund (MBF) has announced the closure of Ivor Newton House, its 21-bed care home in Bromley.
A statement issued by the MBF reads: “[The closure] is part of a year long review of the services the MBF offers and how it delivers them. The MBF will continue to support retired musicians and their dependants in residential and nursing care but will no longer be involved directly in residential care provision. The home won’t be closing until the end of October 2009 to enable both residents and staff to make informed decisions about their future and to take advantage of the packages of support the MBF has put in place for them during the closure period.”
The charity announced the closure of the house – home of a number of retired musicians for over 30 years – to disappointed residents, relatives and staff yesterday. Secretary of the Bromley branch of UNISON, Glen Kelly, has reported that one resident, who was so upset and angry at the decision, became ill and had to be taken to hospital.
“This charity, despite sitting on millions of pounds, has demonstrated a callousness to put money before people’s lives and jobs that I have not seen in many years,” remarked Kelly. “We have every intention of continuing this fight to the end.”
John Smith, general secretary of the Musicians’ Union added: “The MU is very disappointed at this announcement - it is a real shame that there will no longer be a residential home dedicated to retired musicians.
The MU will now concentrate on doing its utmost to support the current residents of Ivor Newton House as they move to alternative accommodation. However, most of the residents of are now in their nineties, and we would urge the MBF to consider allowing these people to live out the rest of their lives in Ivor Newton House. We also sympathise with Unison members working at the home who are losing their jobs.”
Defending the charity’s decision, MBF Chairman, Richard Lyttelton noted: “This decision has not been taken without a great deal of thought. But it has become increasingly difficult to fill the home as more and more people seeking our support wish to go into residential care closer to where they live or near family and friends. And as people are now staying in their own homes longer, they move into residential care when they need specialist nursing or dementia care facilities, which Ivor Newton House can not offer.”
“It’s always distressing to have to consider the closure of a home, particularly one held in such affection as Ivor Newton House, but the MBF has a clear obligation to consider the best interests of all its beneficiaries and how best to apply its resources to their greatest long term benefit.”
