The daughter of an elderly woman who attends the day care centre at Wayfarers has branded the consultation, over plans to sell it, as a joke.

Pat Rogers, 63, who lives in Northbourne, went to a meeting at the centre in St Bart’s Road on Thursday, October 1, to discuss Kent County Council’s announcement that it wishes to sell the only care home in Sandwich as a going concern.

Her 88-year-old mum who lives in Burch Avenue, Sandwich, suffers from dementia and uses the day centre and respite when the family is on holiday.

She said: “They are just throwing away Wayfarers. This consultation is a con.”

Mrs Rogers said she does not feel residents are being consulted when the only option is to sell the care home.

She said: “This consultation is a total joke and all that was said pointed to the fact that KCC had already made up their mind and they were just going through the motions.

“KCC didn’t seem to have any idea on purchase of the care home, or for what length of time it would remain as such, or how soon the site would be demolished and turned into flats or other housing.”

She added: “The care my mum has always had at Wayfarers has been absolutely fantastic.”

KCC claims the aim is to put more money into keeping people in their homes, but Mrs Rogers said already this kind of care is not up to scratch and will only get worse if Wayfarers closes.

She said: “The money isn’t going into the care budget, it’s going back into the general pot. It could be for pay rises for the council.”

Mrs Rogers also feels there hasn’t been enough opposition to the proposals so far.

Dick Perry, former councillor and chairman of the Friends of Wayfarers, said the group which opposed the same plans five years ago still exists. He explained at 86, he needs someone younger to take over the campaign.

Mr Perry said: “Wayfarers is of great value to the Sandwich community. It’s extremely well maintained and offers a very good service.

“KCC is not prepared to back ordinary supportive homes and that’s very wrong in my opinion.

“Sandwich needs Wayfarers and I want Wayfarers to continue. It does a vital job.”

The consultation will last until December and a decision is expected to be made on the week commencing January 18.