A Kingston care home for the elderly could close following a consultation by the council.

Murray House in Acre Road provides permanent accommodation and short stay respite for older people with a variety of health and social care needs.

It was rated ‘good’ across the board in its latest Care Quality Commission inspection.

A consultation will be launched tomorrow to gather the views of existing residents, their families, partner organisations and members of the public.

In an anonymous letter sent to the Surrey Comet, someone with a “strong connection” to Murray House said: “I can say with my whole heart, that it is an exceptional home.

“Respite residents cry when they have to leave, they have bonded with others, the staff and families like the everyday hustle and bustle of the home with something to entertain them every day.

“So why make homeless the permanent residents, move them and distress them?

“How cruel, when they could live at Murray House for years and have peace of mind and as they come to the end of their lives, pass away with friendly and familiar faces around them.

“Please speak up and give your vote for Murray House to be kept open.”

Councillor Cathy Roberts, portfolio holder with responsibility for adult social care at Kingston Council, said: “To meet the future care needs of our ageing population we need to increase the capacity and range of adult social care provision in the borough.

“Although it provides good quality care, Murray House is currently under-occupied.

“There are only seven permanent residents living on a site originally intended to accommodate 38 older people.

“Murray House does not provide the type of accommodation that is expected of a modern care environment, for example it does not offer ensuite bathrooms, and the costs associated with bringing it up to standard are prohibited.

“Our analysis also shows that in the future there will be increased need for specialist dementia residential and nursing care placements.

“Murray House cannot be converted to provide this type of care and the Council has agreed to build a new nursing dementia care home in Surbiton.

“It's therefore necessary to consider the future of Murray House, and how we can better utilise the site to expand our social care provision.”