THE community of Okehampton is making its voice heard over the potential closure of Wardhayes Care Home, with more than 3,000 people wanting to keep the home open.

Devon County Council has launched a consultation on the future of its 20 residential care homes for older people. The council is proposing to close Wardhayes, and formally cease the provision of residential care at the home and its 19 other homes, instead arranging and commissioning alternative services for residents in the private sector.

In the wake of the news, a petition has been set up to protest the proposed closure of Wardhayes. Since it was started several weeks ago, the combined paper and online petition has more than 3,100 signatures.

Sally Chammings set up the petition, which is available to sign in shops and businesses around the town as well as online.

She said: 'We will send the petition to Devon County Council for their consideration during this consultation. I have no association with Wardhayes, nor do I have any relatives there, but I am very cross that vulnerable, sick and elderly people like those living at Wardhayes are being affected by this cuts.

'The residents of Wardhayes can't stand up for themselves so someone needed to do it for them. As a member of the community, I feel strongly about Wardhayes and want it to stay open.

'Why do the funding cuts need to target the sick and elderly?

'The Government has told the county council they will lose millions in funding, and Devon County Council in turn has to consider where they save money. But why target the sick and elderly? They need our support more than anyone.'

County councillor for the Okehampton Rural Division Kevin Ball said: 'I completely empathise with people's emotional connection to a home that provides or has provided care for relatives and loved ones. It is a very emotive issue, and I understand that completely.

'The consultation process is the appropriate way to give feedback to the county council, and I would encourage everyone who feels passionately on this issue to engage with the consultation.

'Having said that, anyone getting in touch should also try to provide any evidence they can think of to strengthen their case.'

Mrs Chammings has approached Okehampton Town Council for a comment on her petition, but she stated that she has received no response on the issue.

Town mayor the Rev Mike Davies said: 'I think most local people would like to see Wardhayes stay open if that is possible. As an individual councillor, I also would like to see the home remain open.

'As a town council we have not discussed the issue, because this is more of a county council issue, but we are aware of people's concerns in the town.

'A fair few people have contacted me to discuss the issue, and I intend to speak to Mrs Chammings about her petition and her feeling on the issue. It is something that has touched a nerve for many people around Okehampton. Most of us have elderly relatives, or have had people close to us who do or have required care like that offered at Wardhayes.'

The proposal is part of a drive by the council to save £110 million by 2017, due to cuts in Government funding. The council has already had to save £100 million over the last four years.

Wardhayes currently employs 42 staff, with working hours the equivalent of 24.7 full time employees. It currently operates 21 beds as nine long stay beds, two short stay and eleven reablement beds. The home has nine long stay residents, and four short stay residents.

Registered with the CQC for Frail Elderly services with dementia care and residential rehabilitation services, Wardhayes also offers respite care.

There is no proposal regarding the future of the Wardhayes building at this time.

To find out more about the proposal and to take part in the consultation, visit the website http://new.devon.gov.uk/residentialreview">http://new.devon.gov.uk/residentialreview