“A community that can’t provide for its elderly in the twenty-first century is failing miserably.” That was the message from Fermanagh and Omagh District Council (FODC) as it unanimously passed a motion calling on the Western Health and Social Care Trust to reverse its proposals to close three local elderly day care centres in the next six months.

Following a public consultation, during which an estimated 75 per cent of respondents opposed the care home closures, the Western Trust decided to go ahead with its plans to close Rosslea, Dromore and Gortin care homes.

“There were 573 consultation responses from Fermanagh, 428 from Rosslea, it’s safe to conclude that very few of these would have been in favour of the closure … yet not one iota of the Trust’s document is changed, the original consultation is what has been passed by the Trust,” stated Sinn Féin Councillor Brian McCaffrey at Tuesday night’s FODC meeting.

The proposal brought by Sinn Féin Councillor Stephen McCann read: “Fermanagh and Omagh District Council strongly opposes the Western Trust’s proposal to close day care facilities in Dromore, Gortin and Rosslea. We believe that this decision will further marginalise isolated and vulnerable people and we call on the Western Trust to reverse this decision.” Councillor McCann pointed out that two online petitions have generated 14,000 signatures opposing the closures and added: “The Trust says the decision is not about cost, therefore I appeal to them to reverse the decision; if it’s not broken, don’t fix it.” Closing Rosslea care home “will mean journeys of 22 miles to Lisnaskea or 33 miles to Tempo Road, Enniskillen,” Councillor McCaffrey continued. “Three-quarters of users would not be able to avail of any new service.” Rosslea is ranked 12 out of 582 in terms of being a deprived area in Northern Ireland, according to Councillor McCaffrey, who argued that “no consideration has been given to the peripherality of this area.” He asked: “Where is the sense in this? It is totally ludicrous.” SDLP Councillor Brendan Gallagher stated that “no consideration was given to alternative proposals suggested by locals in the consultation document,” adding: “The consultation was clearly a box ticking exercise for the Trust. These proposals will lead to people being labelled by the level of care they need and that’s simply not good enough.” His SDLP colleague Richie McPhillips said: “I can see no grounds in these proposals for the closure of services. It’s a shame. A community that can’t provide for its elderly in the twenty-first century is failing miserably. A reversal of these proposals is the only right and logical thing that could happen.” UUP Councillor Alex Baird said his party supported the motion, adding: “At last Sinn Féin are bring forward a relevant motion.” He agreed that “it was a consultation for consultation’s sake”, saying: “The whole thing is evidence of decisions being taken without an evidence base.” UUP Councillor Raymond Farrell believes that the care home closures will lead to increased mental helth problems and more chronic illnesses among an already ageing population, which will “put added pressure on the health system.” The DUP Councillors also supported the motion, with Councillor David Mahon commenting: “It’s a sad day to see these centres closing down and it is only the start of things to come.”