Last residents move out as Warley care home shuts doors

By pmeyler

THE final curtain has come down on an old people's home following months of bitter feuding.

The last residents to leave Winifred Dell residential home have been moved to homes as far away as Upminster, Canvey Island, Romford, Maldon and Cambridge.

As soon as the plans to demolish the 39-bed building and replace it with one with 77 en-suite rooms were announced in January, residents began campaigning.

Excelcare said the new development in Essex Way, Warley, was needed to accommodate “a significant health need for more nursing facilities for elderly people in the borough”.

But according to former care staff and residents, the move has been entirely against the wishes of the residents and their families.

Instead, they argue, it is merely a ploy for Jersey-based Excelcare to make more money.

The new home is likely to be open in 14 months.

More than 25 former Winifred Dell staff were made redundant when the last residents moved out about two weeks ago.

One former care worker said some elderly people were confused and wanted to go back to Winifred Dell when they were visited in their new homes.

She said: “It's really hard trying to come to terms with it all. I can't believe it's all over.”

The development has been dogged by bitter campaigning.

Two of the pensioners – Laura Watson, 96, and Winnie Seaton, 82 – died ahead of plans to demolish the 39-bed Winifred Dell House in Warley.

Winnie Seaton's best friend, 87-year-old Dorothy Sharp, who led campaigners' attempts to keep Winifred Dell open, is now in a home in Canvey Island.

Doris Bollen, a former community champion heralded for her work with the elderly, was another who was forced out of Winifred Dell.