Dates for a series of key meetings to debate the future of care homes in West Sussex have been announced.

The county council has appointed a health care firm to help spend £45 million on improving the homes, with plans for building 588 en suite bedrooms.

During the next three months, council bosses will consult with care home staff, patients and their families and a number of public meetings will also be held.

Mark Dunn, the council's Cabinet member for social and caring services, said: "A great deal of work has gone into this project over several years.

"We want to make sure everyone who is involved has a chance to have their say.

"There will be nine meetings taking place across the county during September to discuss each home and its future.

"I really hope if people have any questions or concerns they come along to these meetings to find out more."

The meetings will be chaired by Age Concern.

They will be held at Arun Leisure Centre, Bognor, on September 2; Judith Adams Centre, Chichester, on September 3; Clair Hall, Haywards Heath, on September 4; The Barn at Southwick Community Centre, Southwick, on September 8; Roffey Millennium Hall, Horsham, on September 11; The Grange Centre, Midhurst, on September 15; The Friary, Crawley, on September 18; the Studio Room at the Windmill Theatre, Littlehampton, on September 23; and Storrington Village Hall on September 30.

Monday August 18, 2003