Tracey is of course extremely disappointed to learn of the potiential closure of the Dorothy Lucey home in Maidstone alongside other potentional changes to Kent care home provision proposed by Kent County Council (KCC). As a Co-Chair of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Dementia for the last Parliament Tracey is aware that local care homes who can support people with dementia for respite day or residential care are an extremely important life life for carers to allow them to continue to care for their loved ones primarily in the home.

After being contacted today by constituents who rely on the Dorothy Lucey home to provide both day and respite care for elderly relatives with dementia, Tracey has been in contact with Helen Whatley MP, in whose constituency the home resides. As the local MP Helen Whatley is meeting Kent County Councillors imminently to better understand the rationale for their plans and the options, Tracey has offered her support to Helen in taking this forward.

In the meantime Tracey would encourage anyone who is concerned or effected by this issue to share their views with KCC through their public consultation. This is your chance to make your voice heard.

You can respond to the consultation here: http://consultations.kent.gov.uk/consult.ti/carehomes/consultationHome. If you would prefer to email Tracey please do and she will happily pass your comments directly on to the Council.  The consultation closes on 20 December 2015, with a decision to be taken next year.