"Closing homes would be cruel"

Bradford Council is studying proposals to close three homes - Greenacres in Clayton, Broadstones at Holme Wood and either Meadowcroft at Bowling or Woodward Court at Allerton. The cash saved will be reinvested in extra care and housing schemes to allow older people to live more independently.

A consultation will take place with residents and staff but some families of people who use the homes claim decisions have already been made.

Toni Wignall, of Clayton, whose father Frank Leemings, 88, visits the day-care centre at Geenacres, said: "We will flounder without it. The day centre is wonderful, the staff look after me and make sure I am coping, as well as looking after my father." Mrs Wignall said her father, who has Alzheimer's disease, could end up blocking up beds in hospitals if the centre was to close.

"We thought social services were there to protect these vulnerable old people, but it seems not," she said.

Sally Firth, 54, of Ransdale Road, Little Horton, said she would be devastated if her mother, Sally Hoyle, 86, was forced to leave Meadowcroft, where she has lived for the past five years.

Mrs Hoyle, who has dementia, was in St Luke's Hospital for nine weeks before she moved to the home.

"She could not even make a cup of tea for herself," said Mrs Firth.

"We were thrilled to bits when she got a place at Meadowcroft. It is brilliant. The staff are so caring.

"It is not feasible for her to go into any other accommodation. She cannot be left for even ten minutes. She is a gentle lady but when people have dementia it is obvious they could do anything.

"She still knows who I am, but I have been told that there will come a time when she does not know her family.

"But she knows her carers who are there 24 hours a day for her.

"She sees the same familiar faces every day and it is cruel what they are going to do to these people.

"I am going to be distraught if the home, where I know she is safe, goes."