A SUFFOLK MP has given his support to the residents and staff at an under-threat care home.

Paddock House, in Eye, is one of six Suffolk County Council-run properties that face an uncertain future as part of a consultation process started earlier this month.

Dr Daniel Poulter, MP for Central Suffolk and North Ipswich, was given a tour of the recently-modernised facilities and spent time talking with home manager Kym Denny and senior team leader Pam Carpenter.

He also met with a number of the home’s residents, where the uncertainty over the future of Paddock House was the main topic of conversation.

The residents were keen to impress upon Dr Poulter how unsettled they felt about the potential closure, and many had even put signs on their doors with their thoughts.

Dr Poulter said community services were “particularly crucial” in rural areas.

He said: “We must work hard to preserve them and to ensure that the quality of care offered to the elderly is not compromised.

“It is clear that Kym Denny and the staff at Paddock House are doing an excellent job. However, the residents are understandably concerned about what the future may hold for them if they are forced to move.

“Paddock House has a strong focus on holistic care and currently houses the community beds which were moved from Hartismere Hospital.

“If Paddock House closes and we lose those community beds, then there will be no step up or step down care for elderly patients between Norwich and Ipswich, which would be an unacceptable situation.”

He said he was determined to do all he could to prevent the “vital facility” from closure.

Colin Noble, Suffolk County Council’s portfolio holder for adult and community services, said the consultation process, which started on November 1, would end on January 24.

He said that he and his team had been visiting all the homes and holding meetings with staff, carers, residents and their families.

He said: “We have made the decision that Suffolk County Council is no longer going to be the provider of care homes but we will continue to actively support people who need residential care facilities.”