THE owner of independent nursing homes in Petersfield told health chiefs on Tuesday night that she has been forced to close three of her four homes.

This has left the town with only one private facility for people with dementia, which is Hillary RobinsonÕs Stroud House Residential Care Home.

Mrs Robinson told East Hampshire District CouncilÕs south area community committee that she has been running homes for 20 years and has seen three of hers close down.

In a question-and-answer themed discussion at Penns Place she asked a panel of health experts how they intend to implement improvements for independent care homes when so many are closing.

The panel included chief executive of the East Hampshire Primary Care Trust Tony Horne, service manager from Hampshire Social Services Tony Warnes, and John Hughes from the Hampshire Primary Care Trust.

Mr Warnes said that many independent nursing homes had closed down in recent years because of the new standards that have been introduced.

He said: ÒI believe a number of homes have closed down because they have looked at the new standards that they will have to meet.

ÒMany people who own homes have taken the business decision to withdraw from the market on this basis.

ÒWe want to negotiate with the independent sector and achieve a joint community approach between health and social services.Ó

In response, Mrs Robinson said many homes failed to meet new standards because they failed to get planning permission for development.

She underlined the importance that something had to be done to address the shortage of facilities for people with dementia.

She said: ÒThere is a lack of provision for the care of people with dementia and they cannot stay in their own homes.

ÒThere is nowhere else for people to go in Petersfield other than the home I own. If you are confused there is no-one.Ó

At the meeting a workshop was due to take place with people spending time writing their concerns to be passed to the district councilÕs health strategy adviser.

But the question-and-answer session proved so popular that committee chairman Bob Ayer allowed the discussion to continue with the approval of people at the meeting.

Other topics raised by councillors and residents included the proposals to amalgamate the three health authorities in Hampshire, the national service framework for older people, which was launched in March, and other aspects of local health care.

At the end of the meeting Bob Ayer thanked the health experts for what he described Òa very honest and informative discussionÓ.

The next meeting of the community committee will be held on Tuesday, January 8, at 6-30 pm in the council chamber at Penns Place.

The themed discussion will be on the South Downs National Park.