Over 200 incensed Staffordshire UK residents met in Burton on Trent to register on behalf of their loved ones receiving care, adding their names to an injunction with the aim of preventing Staffordshire County Council from closing all County funded Care Homes, Day Centres and Day Services. The meeting was attended by Brian Buxton, Leader of the Popular Alliance and Craig Chapman, Party Treasurer, together with other party members who have been campaigning against the closures. When it was revealed by Ms Hossack that (eg) the Lichfield Day Centre requires an annual budget of £300,000... Craig Chapman said: "The figure of £300,000 was equal to the legal packages to finance just two asylum seeker cases. Surely the care of our own parents and grandparents, handicapped relatives should be a foregone priority in this already overtaxed country" Yvonne Hossack, a solicitor who specialises in cases concerning the care of the elderly, ably assisted by Elaine Kirkham, David Bailey and Angela Easton all have close relatives in care homes. With the support of Mark Stillman, a journalist with a national daily newspaper, they lead a group who represent family members cared for at 22 Staffordshire Care Homes and Centres. Ms Hossack had already brought an emergency injunction against the County Council with the complete support of the presiding judge, despite numerous counter claims from Council representatives. She is now amassing completed Legal Aid And Help At Court forms from representatives of eligible care home residents and care centre users, to use in her petition against this outrageous move by the County Council. The aim is to have at least one representative for each home and centre. What has made many of the individual cases worse, has been the County Council advising Car Home Residents directly of the closures and liaising with family members present, which has naturally caused a great deal of panic and stress amongst all concerned. Brian Buxton said: "I have written to a number of local Councillors about this disgusting proposal and received only one reply, which examples the need for change at the coming elections. Clearly care of the elderly is not a priority in Staffordshire and those concerned with making this proposal to close these essential services should consider their positions very carefully - many residents think they should resign forthwith." To quote from the staffordshire.gov.uk website: "The County Council is committed to reshaping and improving services as part of its 'Staffordshire 2012' programme. 'Changing Lives' is the change programme which aims to improve services for older people and people with disabilities. The Changing Lives vision is to promote independence, inclusion and well-being for older or disabled residents, by enabling them to: * Have more control over their lives, * Live safe, healthy and fulfilled lives, * Have an active role in a stronger and prosperous community, and access the support they need in order to be as independent as they choose. Closing care facilities seems a very strange way of achieving these objectives... Yet more "spin" with no substance - No care whatsoever! As it stands, the Staffordshire County Council still aims to close down all of the facilities, which include the homes of over 300 elderly British citizens. The Popular Alliance will support Ms Hossack and her team of campaigners all the way, until this situation is resolved in favour of the deserving care residents and centre users. Angela and Andy Easton started the rage-staffordshire.org website to publicise the events and link with other groups experiencing similar problems nationally Elaine & David have now taken over the running of the site and can be contacted via the links therein. The national Rage site is headed by David Atkins and can be accessed via the staffs pages.. Concerns grow over the care of the elderly in other areas of the UK. Older people were put at risk in two substandard nursing homes, according to the regulator for homes in England. A whistleblower who worked at Laurel Bank Home in Halifax, has told Panorama of the "mental torture" and "abuse" of residents she witnessed. The Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI) has said Laurel Bank is now "significantly improved". But it wants to shut a second home in Halifax, The Haven, which remains open as its owners appeal against closure. 12 years ago the Law Commission proposed legislation which would protect older people from abuse and neglect but so far, governments have refused to implement it.