Warden Elyse Minschull in the Cantlay Court kitchen which
needs upgrading
Cantlay Court's pensioners told they can't cook, won't cook
until at least April
Old folk turn
to bingo to
buy kitchen facilities
by Billy Youngson
OLD folk at Cruden Bay have turned to bingo to raise money for
a kitchen which the owners of their nursing home refuse to bring
up to standards.
Cantlay Court's pensioners were told they can't cook, won't
cook until at least April by Aberdeenshire Council.
Officials said they just could not look at cash until then -
so the resourceful OAPs have fundraised for a fridge-freezer and
dishwasher themselves.
They need the white goods to bring their kitchen into line with
stringent food safety legislation set in 1995 after a number of
high-profile e-coli outbreaks.
But Cruden councillor Jim Towers now has officers looking to
dip into council contingency money after hearing of the scandalous
situation.
He said: "This is wholly unacceptable to be happening to the
most vulnerable people in the community. They should not be treated
in this way. They have given so much in the past"
Not only does Cantlay Court's kitchen need new white goods,
it also needs another sink, food preparation area and fly net
for the window. The layout of the kitchen's cabinets will need
to be juggled about to make room for the essential equipment.
And the warden also needs to be certified in food handling and
preparation - training which current warden Elyse Minschull is
understood to be undertaking in the near future
Cllr Towers said: "I have yet to find out if this is just a
one day, few days course or quite lengthy training.
"Of course, if it is long then there is nothing that can be
done no matter how much money is in place. She needs to have that
certificate or food can not be prepared. But if it is short then
the council should be doing everything it can to make sure funds
are available.
"We are talking about £1,000 at most to bring this kitchen
in line with the requirements and my argument is there is contingency
funding for this. It should be dipped into."
Cllr Towers has, however, defended the legislation which Aberdeenshire
Council follows, admitting: "The regulations are in place for
a very good reason. I would not want the council to risk being
prosecuted. I appreciate we have to be very careful or that could
very well happen.
"But that does not mean it should prevent our valued old people
from being able to enjoy food in this building."
The OAPs reckon they will need around £500 for the white
goods for their kitchen. They have already splashed out £200
of fundraised money on a microwave.
Residents are now waiting to hear if the council will come through
with emergency funding. It is the second time Aberdeenshire Council
has been attacked for its lack of investment at Cantlay Court.
Last year residents hit out at an 18-month closure to a lift
- a move which practically left a 93-year-old trapped on the first
floor of the building for the final years of her life.
