A LEGAL test case which will affect thousands of elderly people throughout the country gets underway in the High Court in London on Monday.
The Hyndburn Action Committee and Chorley Council are launching an action to prevent Lancashire Cou-nty Council closing 32 care homes. Four of these - Acorn Lodge, Accrington, Peel Court, Oswald-twistle, Northlands, Great Harwood, and Hill Top, Baxenden - are in Hyndburn.
The county's decision to close the homes in favour of providing more care in the community aroused a storm of protest when it was announced last year.
A third partner in the action, the Lancashire Care Association, representing owners of private care homes, pulled out at the 11th hour after negotiating a deal on fees and placements with the county council. The association says the agreement will help stabilise the independent care home sector and provide mechanisms for developing longer-term agreements which will benefit older people in the county.
- Read more in this week's Observer
