Artwork removed from second care home

Maunview Care Home have been told to take down artwork from the walls by the Fire Service

Staff at the Maun View care home, in Chesterfield Road South, told Chad that they now have bare walls after inspectors from Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue issued them with a legal notice two weeks ago.

Manager Alison Riley said the home now feels more like a ‘Victorian institution’ than a home after specialist therapeutic artwork and other decorations were removed.

She added that staff are now worried that they will not be able to put up decorations for three residents who will soon be celebrating their 100th birthdays.

The staff had all been undergoing specialist training with the Dementia Care Matters organisation, which had pioneered the use of art and colour as a means of engaging people with severe dementia.

She said: “People in the latter stages of dementia often don’t know where they are or what day it is, so lots of bright decorations really helps to orientate them.

“Three of our residents are going to be 100 soon and now we fear that we can’t even put decorations up for them for fear of breaching this notice.

“We are going back to the days of Victorian institutions here - the place feels more like a prison than a home and we are absolutely mortified by this.”

Helen Walton, from Dementia Care Matters said “This has only recently become a problem due to the change in approach from the fire service and they need to consider that these places are not hospitals, or prisons, or hotels - they are people’s homes.”

Last week, Chad exclusively revealed how the fire service had also forced staff at the Clipstone Hall Residential Care Home, in Mansfield Road, to remove art from its walls - leading to a storm of protest from relatives.

Sherwood MP Mark Spencer said he was writing to the chief fire officer, calling for ‘a rethink with the introduction of a bit of common sense’ and the story was later run my a number of national newspapers.

“We had a meeting with the fire inspector last week and he really wouldn’t listen - it just makes you think that he has got it in for us for some reason.”

A spokesman for Runwood Homes, which runs Maun View, added: “We were disappointed to have to remove the decorations and therapeutic artwork in Maun View, which created areas of interest and engagement for residents living with dementia.

“However, we respect the decision of the fire authority regarding health and safety at Maun View.”

Nottinghamshire Fire and Rescue have hit back at claims that red tape is impacting on the lives of dementia suffers, stating that they are applying legislation for the safety of vulnerable residents.