From: Monique.Verlaan@kent.gov.uk [mailto:Monique.Verlaan@kent.gov.uk] On Behalf Of Margaret.Howard@kent.gov.uk
Sent: 19 August 2011 09:05
To: john@balloons.plus.com
Subject: Closure of Bowles Lodge
Dear John
I understand that you were informed at the assessment of your mother's needs that we would need to move residents out of Bowles Lodge by mid-November and that you have asked for an explanation of this. As you know, Bowles Lodge is planned to close at the end of January. In order to de-commission the buildings and services by this date we will need to ensure all residents have moved by November. Also we have always made it clear that we want to proceed with care and caution in managing the moves of our residents from one home to another, and so we want to make sure this is undertaken in a timely way and in circumstances that minimise the anxiety and uncertainty for each of them. Most of our residents will have moved by then, as will many of our staff on to the alternative roles that they have secured. This could mean the unit will be staffed increasingly by agency staff adding potentially to the uncertainty.
You will remember that last winter we had a couple of particularly heavy snowfalls and we want to ensure that we avoid the worst weather if possible. It is important that the planning that has been done for individuals is concluded in a timely manner to enable their smooth transition, with the support of staff who know them, into their new homes. As I explained in my letter of 29 June 2011 it is important that we meet our duty of care to your mother in planning and facilitating her move. That is why it is important there are definite plans for her and a timetable that gives her some assurance as to where she will be living and when she will be moving. Her recent assessment records that your mother is saying she wishes to stay at Bowles Lodge until the end the assessment, but it also highlights the anxiety that she is experiencing due to not knowing what will happen. As I have said before, I am sure with your help and support we can relieve this anxiety by agreeing the next steps and the timings of these.
There is some scope for slippage of the proposed moving date (of about 2 weeks) in order to secure a room in the right home for your mother should it not be available by mid-November. I understand that you have not yet confirmed an alternative home for your mother but have made some enquiries. Support in securing alternative accommodation with local authority funding is available either through Margaret Terry or Jayne Hodge.
Of course we want to avoid moving your mother twice, should a room not be available in your selected home by the end of November at the latest, and her having to move temporarily into another home while a vacancy arises. I believe this was all explained to you by Beverley and Margaret on 5 August. It reinforces the need to make plans now.
Yours sincerely
Margaret Howard
Director of Learning Disabilities and Mental Health
