THE mother of a severely disabled Salisbury man who had to be moved from his care facility at Glenside has issued a plea to the community for help.

Sue Landon is searching for a property that could be rented for Joe, allowing him to stay in the area near his family and friends, that is big enough to accommodate a wheelchair and has a wet room.

Joe was moved from Glenside on Friday, May 10 after services were closed at the site in South Newton to the spinal unit at Salisbury District Hospital.

“It is quite critical we move him on as soon as possible,” said Sue, who praised the staff at Salisbury District Hospital for their care but says Joe is finding it difficult to adapt to a “strange” environment.

Joe, who is now 22, was left unable to walk and talk after being knocked off his bike and hit by a car in 2013 when he was 17.

He had been at Glenside for more than a year and Sue says the closure has left many families “in a difficult position” as there are not any similar facilities in the area.

“There is not an alternative in this area,” added Sue. “I was rather hoping somebody would come in and help Glenside to get on and provide services they’ve got all the facilities for.

“This area has got a wonderful facility but they have been thwarted at every opportunity.”

Glenside Manor Healthcare Services Ltd announced it would be closing its sites last week and that it had been a “very difficult decision to make and not one that has been taken lightly”.

It said: “Quality issues were raised by the regulator and other stakeholders but despite our best efforts and the introduction of new management it has not been possible to resolve these.”

Healthcare watchdog, the Care Quality Commission, took “urgent enforcement action” which it says was to “protect” people living at Newton House, the Old Vicarage and Lime Tree.

This came after inspectors visited the services on April 30 and May 1.

Sue says the move has been unsettling for Joe leaving him “very confused” and causing him to hurt himself due to getting frustrated.

She added: “Joseph is terrified. I am obliged to spend a great deal of time with him daily to try to manage things and calm him.”

“It is just exhausting. I hate leaving him on his own. He hates me leaving,” she said.

The closure of Glenside in South Newton has affected 47 service-users and 201 staff.

Anyone who can help Sue is urged to get in contact with the Journal, emailing katy.griffin@salisburyjournal.co.uk

  • Have you or a family member been affected by the closure of Glenside. Get in touch by emailing newsdesk@salisburyjournal.co.uk or calling 01722 426 504.