Elderly dementia patients in a Rickmansworth care home must move ten miles down the road because they no longer fill criteria, their families have been told.

At least four families with relatives who are resident at Chalfont Court Nursing Home in Mill End have been informed of the move.

Iain Hannam said his father, a Rickmansworth resident since 1978, suffers with Parkinson's Disease and dementia, and has been staying at the home for four years.

His stay at the private care home was fully funded by the NHS, after an assessment deemed him in need of “continual care”.

Now he, and at least three other patients at the care home in Uxbridge Road, have been told they must be moved to an NHS care home in Borehamwood – a move which may have disastrous consequences.

Mr Hannam said: “My mother was called in for a meeting last Friday. Without any notice, they informed her that Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust is terminating the contract with Care UK and that my father will be moved to another unit in Borehamwood.

“I cannot understand this. His condition is a deteriorating one, so there can't be any criteria that he doesn't fulfil. He was considered in need of full funding four years ago, why the change now?

“My mother is a 78-year-old pensioner who is now in a state of anxiety and distress due to this. Chalfont Court is a few minutes' drive, Borehamwood is a long way away which will cause her distress in getting to, not to mention the cost of transport to and fro.

“I have also been told that moving my father will without doubt lead to his prompt demise.”

Joan Pope, a 70-year-old dementia patient will also be moved.

Her husband, 69-year-old Fred Pope, of Leavesden, said: “Joan moved in here four years and two months ago, she said she liked it here which was great to know, she's happy here and eats well.

“I was told that the home was given three months notice from Hertfordshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust and then the people will be moved.”

Mr Pope, who worked at Leavesden Studios, added: “I think it's terrible, she knows everybody, the cleaners, the carers, nurses, we always thought they were supposed to see the same faces and places, but obviously the powers that be have deemed that not true.

“Joan isn't great at walking anymore, which suggests her condition is getting worse. We used to go on long walks and now she just shuffles. The idea of her moving home is very worrying.”

Keith Moullin, joint deputy director of operations for the trust, said the move was part of a plan to provide all continuing dementia healthcare within the NHS, in order to maintain standards.

New arrangements will replace current contractual arrangements, such as in Chalfont House, with independent sector care homes.

Mr Moullin added: “Trust clinicians are working closely with staff at Chalfont Court, service users and their families to ensure appropriate alternative care is available which meets the service users’ assessed care needs and takes into account the needs of their families.”

Cibi John, manager of Chalfont Court, said the home was also planning to send members of staff to the Borehamwood unit to help patients reorientate to their new environment.

Are you affected by the care home move? Call the newsdesk on 01923 216295.