THE relatives of a former resident at a Newport care home have praised Newport City Council for keeping its promise to keep the home open until the last resident left.

Jacqui Ford’s aunt Betty Roberts, 86, was among the last three residents to leave Hillside Resource Centre, Gaer Road in August.

Mrs Roberts was one of the original 24 residents until she moved to Aria Care Home at Bryn Bevan in August.

Her son-in-law Tony Ford, said: “Newport council kept their promise to keep the home open until the last resident left and it was a sad day when the last person moved.”

“At no time was any pressure put upon either the residents or their families to move, but it became apparent as the numbers decreased, the whole atmosphere of Hillside changed.”

Mrs Ford added: “I’m sure that we speak for all the residents and their families, when we say how much we appreciate the care and attention extended to all the residents by the management and staff during their time at Hillside who until the last person left, maintained the highest level of care which can’t be bettered by any other home we know of".

Hillside hit headlines last year when it was revealed the Gaer care home was to close by 2015, and be replaced by a Extra Care Housing Scheme, saving the council £853,000. The Hillside Day Centre, which was separate from the residential home, closed in March.

But elected members agreed those living there would not be forced to move if they did not want to, or until new accommodation was finished.

Newport councillor Paul Cockeram said: "The kind remarks especially about the care and attention shown to the residents until the day the home closed are very gratifying."

Hillside will now be used in the short term for a pilot project for people who need extra support after leaving hospital to help them regain the skills and confidence they need to return to their own homes.