A doctor has warned of the serious health dangers facing elderly people if they are evicted from their residential home in Braintree.
Campaigners are trying to save St Francis Nursing Home, in Broad Road, but its owners plan to close it down in January. This would mean the eviction of all the residents, who are mostly over 85, with the oldest 101.
Now Dr Paul Zollinger-Read, who visits the home as a GP, has written to the solicitor representing the nuns who run the home to express his fears.
"As one of the GPs visiting St Francis on a regular basis, I want to express my grave concern for the residents," said Dr Zollinger-Read, who was recently appointed chief executive of the Witham, Braintree and Halstead Care Trust.
"There is considerable research to support the dangers associated with moving elderly people, particularly when they have viewed St Francis as their home for a great number of years."
He is also seeking assurances that correct procedures will be followed.
The Missionary Franciscan Sisters of the Immaculate Conception has decided to close the home on January 10, citing the age of the sisters and the changing nature of health care as two of the reasons.
Published Tuesday October 29, 2002
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