Disabled Andrew upset by care centre decision says sister
A blind and severely disabled man has been stopped from using a care centre which he has attended for almost 20 years.
Andrew Norton, 52, from Hinstock, near Market Drayton, has been using the Old Farm House in Goldcrest Drive, Shrewsbury, for 19 years. But he was told earlier this month he could no longer use the centre unless he became a full-time resident.
His sister Brenda, who helps to care for him and their mother at the family home, said he had been left extremely upset by the decision.
"He has been kicked out. He is 52 and it has absolutely devastated his life," she said.
She said Mr Norton visited the centre several times a week, occasionally staying at the centre for people with learning disabilities.
But care provider Bethphage, which took over the running of the centre from Vision Homes, has now said the site, which has rooms for five people, can only be used by those registered to stay full-time.
Chief executive Rob Tovey said: "We have been in discussions with the family and social services for about four months to discuss the future care and support arrangements for Andrew. We offered the option that Andrew could live there full-time, but the family didn't want that."
He said discussions were taking place to try to secure funding from the council to provide day services for Andrew.
A Shropshire Council spokesman said: "We have been working closely with the family to help them through what is a difficult time, and we will continue to do so."
