HEALTH service campaigners in Leeds are fighting back against the proposed closure of local care home Richmond House.

The 20-bed residential home in the city’s Farsley district is for people recovering from hospital operations, but following government cuts to Leeds City Council, which faces a £119 million budget shortfall next year, the council has plans to close the home.

Leeds Save Our NHS is campaigning against closure and local resident John Procter has launched a petition which has been signed by hundreds of supporters.

“We believe this is a short-sighted measure and an inappropriate response to the circumstances that we find ourselves in during the pandemic, especially given the precarious state of the residential care sector generally,” he said.

“We must fight to keep this place open.”

Signatory Jemma Waddington said: “It’s been there many years and used by patients all over Yorkshire. It will be very sad if this closes.” 

Leeds City Council said: “Any decisions to move ahead with closure would include a full public consultation.”