“Elderly Lives Matter” and “Feelings Over Figures” are two of the phrases you may have seen or heard over the last few weeks, as the campaign to save the Ferndale House Care Home, located in Station Road, Ferndale, enters the final weeks of an eight week consultation period.

The campaign to save it, along with the wellbeing and comfort of the elderly residents living there, is being spearheaded by Carly Harries and Louren Evans (pictured right), two of the Care Staff working there.

So, what would the closure mean?

With the majority of the forty five staff being unable to drive, and therefore unable to easily travel to alternative care home jobs elsewhere, many will find themselves without work, leading to further local unemployment and hardship within the Ferndale Community. But, moreover, try and imagine how the residents, who call Ferndale House their home, would feel - the disruption and hardship that the closure may cause is beyond comprehension, not just for them but for their friends and family who will find themselves forced to travel further just to visit loved ones, many of whom are elderly themselves. And, of course, it will undoubtedly increase waiting times for potential future residents!

There are also two beds available for respite care – essential in providing those locally, who look after loved ones at home, an occasional, much needed break. 

And, if fully funded, six of the total twenty six beds available could be used for hospital discharges, helping free up much needed hospital beds, something that Liberal Democrats have been advocating for years and championed by our local Parliamentary Candidate for The Rhondda, Gerald Francis (pictured right), during this year’s General Election campaign – who, along with your local Liberal Democrat team, fully supports keeping Ferndale House open.