FAMILIES battling to keep their vulnerable relatives at the Llanfrechfa Grange Hospital site have moved a step closer to victory.
Lawyers representing four residents, Lynne Evans, 40, Michael Shaw, 54, Joan James, 68, and Bernard Maguire, 61, all of whom suffer from "profound learning difficulties", are challenging Gwent Health Authority's plans to move long-stay residents into community-based care.
And at a High Court hearing in London yesterday, the authority agreed, after four hours of negotiations, to carry out a feasibility study into the families' plans for a community village in the hospital grounds.
Following the negotiations, Ian Wise, for the residents, told the judge "goodwill has broken out on both sides", adding: "In the last half-hour we've probably got further than we have in the past 12 months."
He said proposals for the hospital's future would now be drafted, including a novel feasibility study on the viability of the village community, an option they have long favoured.
Resettlement of the residents began in the early 1990s, but their families claimed moving them was "unrealistic", because of their severe learning disabilities, and called for a judicial review of the health authority's stance.
Attempts were made to resolve the situation by mediation in February, but to no avail, and the case was returned to the High Court, where it is being heard by Mr Justice Scott Baker.
"There has been a great deal of talk, but no-one has yet done a proper feasibility study. That is a crucial brick in the wall," Mr Wise told the judge.
Health authority solicitor Susan Olley said if a village community was established to be viable, it would consider funding places for the residents affected.
The Llanfrechfa Grange site has been earmarked for sale, with a tendering process envisaged.
Ms Olley said the original plans involved building £500,000 bungalows offering 24-hour care and retaining the residents in the care of the NHS.
But she added: "If the residents' families can interest a third party in building this village community and they're successful in the tendering process for the land, they will get their village community.
"What the health authority is not doing is building it for them. But we are not objecting." The case was due to return to court today, when lawyers were hoping to submit a draft agreement for the judge's approval.
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