RESIDENTS at a York sheltered housing unit could soon be re-housed under plans to create an intermediate care home in the city - a move which could ease bed blocking at York Hospital.

Plans to convert Clarendon Court, in Rose Street, are being recommended for approval by City of York Council executive members at a meeting next Tuesday.

The scheme to create intermediate care beds would allow patients to recover from illness and return to independent living over a six-week period, while freeing up blocked beds - a problem which has had a serious impact on the running of York Hospital.

Last month in York there were 37 acute beds blocked, up from 26 the previous month.

A total of 19 Clarendon Court residents, whose ages range from their 30s to their 90s, would be affected by the planned scheme. Residents in the Clarendon Court bungalows would be unaffected.

Meetings between residents and council officers have taken place over the past few months and visits to other sheltered housing schemes have been arranged.

Residents have also been offered independent advocacy.

In a report to councillors Bill Hodson, senior assistant director of strategic services, said there was a lot of anxiety and concern from residents and their families.

He said: "It is fair to say that most tenants would not be actively seeking to move were it not for this proposal being made.

"However, a number of tenants are willing to look at other accommodation and this has been arranged so that people have a clearer sense of what can be on offer."

He said tenants would be able to choose where they moved and assistance in moving would be given.

The scheme will be looked at during the executive meeting on June 3, as part of a raft of plans for improvement and investment in older people's care services in York.

The future of Marjorie Waite Court, Gale Farm Court and Morrell House will also be discussed.

Updated: 10:56 Wednesday, May 28, 2003