CAMPAIGNERS have launched their fight to save a council-run care home.

They came together to protest against the potential closure of Brownhill House, which is under threat as part of a shake up of the city’s health services.

Council chiefs say the changes are designed to make healthcare more efficient, but opponents argued it was an important facility for the whole of Southampton.

The facility, in Lower Brownhill Road, Maybush offers day care services but also rehabilitation after a stay in hospital.

Protestors, including residents, a councillor and trade unionists, stood outside carried placards that read “Save Brownhill House – affordable council care homes for all our elderly – stop the cuts”.

But they say this is just the start and they will be taking their protest to the steps of the city’s civic offices.

The council says proposals to shut Brownhill House will help to provide a more efficient service and effective use of resources and hopes to bring about nearly £1 million a year in savings.

It would also put 41 members of staff at risk of losing their jobs while nine other managers in the council and at the Solent NHS Trust could also be made redundant.

Ongoing funding cuts from central government mean civic chiefs have a £39 million budget gap to meet for the next financial year alone and £90 million over the next four years.

Resident Linda Hayes, who is leading the campaign, said: “It’s affordable and it’s something that’s needed in Southampton.

“People looking after their husbands or wives at home need that little bit of help.

“They’re hitting the elderly and the vulnerable “I won’t give up the fight.”

Independent councillors Keith Morrell (Coxford) and Don Thomas (Coxford) are supporting the campaign.

Cllr Morrell said: “It’s scandalous that to save money the council is getting rid of such a valued and important place.

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“If they don’t come here and get eased back into their own homes they’ll just stay in hospital longer and put even more pressure on the health service.”

He told how one 103-year-old woman who uses the facility was almost in tears and begged him to help save it.

He called on the Labour-run city council to refuse to make these cuts and instead use reserves while demanding money back from government.

Cllr Dave Shields, lead member for health and adult social care, said the idea was to focus more on delivering care in people’s homes and to reduce duplication in services offered by the NHS and city council.

He said Brownhill House was operating at quite low use, at around 50 per cent, that a rehabilitation service was underused at the Royal South Hants Hospital and that day care services could go elsewhere, for example to Freemantle Community Centre.

“We have to make sure every penny goes as far as it can,” he said.

He added that the council had a duty to set a legal budget and could not use reserves to prop up services.

A decision is due by cabinet on February 16.