Human rights row

STAFFORDSHIRE County Council risks being taken to court for curtailing the rights of care home residents, according to a media law expert.

Last week, the authority issued a memo to the press stopping residents from speaking to journalists from the comfort of their own bedrooms - saying if they wished to speak to reporters, they must do so "off the premises".

The edict was sent out in the week that council officers recommended the closure of 14 care homes and 10 disabled services. Yesterday those recommendations were endorsed.

Richard Orange, a media consultant, said he believes their actions breach the Human Rights Act.

He said: "The principle that no-one may speak out via the media from the privacy of their own home is extremely disturbing. Prisoners are allowed phone cards and contact with journalists. It seems elderly people in Staffordshire care homes are not."

A spokesman for the council said: "At no time whatsoever have we ever said or implied that a service user cannot speak to the media. It is totally their right to do so. Our primary concern is for the welfare, safety, confidentiality and well-being of users. In the past we have had a photographer on our premises who poked his head through a window and distressed service users, among other incidents.

"Every one of our service users, some of whom have dementia, has the basic right to move around their respective homes without fear of unknown people possibly causing them distress or confusion. At such a sensitive time, this is all the more appropriate. If a service user wishes to speak to the media they can do this. All we ask is that this is done off the premises of the homes."

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