Published: September 14, 2007
Exclusive: Burnham-On-Sea war veteran fights for place at nursing home

Friends of a brave Burnham-On-Sea World War II veteran have this week launched a campaign to get Somerset County Council to give him a permanent place at a care home in the town.

Norman Binnall, 89, fought as a member of the Royal Artillery in the Second World War and was held as a prisoner of war in Germany for over three years.

Earlier this year, the pensioner was admitted to Burnham's Frith House care home after breaking his wrist and now, after three months, he's being asked to return home by Somerset County Council.

But friends like Dave Ilsley, pictured here with Norman, say Norman is too frail and deserves proper care and a permanent place at Frith House. He is lobbying Somerset County Council to reconsider their decision to ask him to return to his one bed flat.

"This man is a national treasure, having fought for his country and even being held as a prisoner-of-war for three and a half years in Germany. He lost his foot at Dunkirk and is clearly a very brave man whom we should be helping in any way we can," Dave told Burnham-On-Sea.com.

"As a country, we should be properly caring for heroes like this in their old age. It's scandalous that Norman is being asked to leave Frith House when he's in no fit condition and clearly worried about leaving."

"The staff and everyone at Frith House have been wonderful and I can't praise them enough. It's a superb care home. Somerset County Council should not be sending him home. They should be keeping Norman here."

The pensioner can walk with a zimmer frame but spends a lot of time in a wheelchair. He said on Thursday evening: "I have been very close to falling several times recently and am worried about returning home on my own, even if there's occasional care there from Social Services. I've been looked after very well at Frith House and want to stay," he said on Thursday evening.

A spokesperson for Somerset County Council Social Services, however, issued a short statement on Thursday explaining their position.

The spokesperson told Burnham-On-Sea.com: "Mr Binnall was admitted to Frith House on 1st June 2007 as part of his rehabilitation process. He requested a permanent place at the home but on assessing his situation, Somerset County Council's Social Services reported that he did not meet the criteria for local authority funding towards the cost of a long term placement."

"However, he can be maintained at home with a small package of care. We will monitor him closely following his return home and will continue to provide care based on his requirements."