NORTH Somerset Council says it will reassess the needs of a pensioner who has been told he does not need nursing home care.

NORTH Somerset Council says it will reassess the needs of a pensioner who has been told he does not need nursing home care.

Last week the Weston & Somerset Mercury told the story of Eddie Coglan, who claimed the local authority wants him to move out of his nursing home into a warden-controlled flat with not even a bed or kettle to his name.

His son Andrew said his father, who has had three heart attacks, sold his home and all his belongings last year to raise £40,000 for the fees for Summer Lane Nursing Home in Weston. But now the cash has run out he says the local authority has asked his dad to move into a second-floor unfurnished property in Preanes Green.

This week North Somerset Council said it is looking closely at the situation.

A spokesman said: "The council recognises the considerable distress this very difficult situation is causing to Mr Coglan and his family.

"Two assessments of his needs have been carried out in recent months by two experienced social workers.

"Both assessments concluded that Mr Coglan does not need nursing home care. We informed him and the care home where he lives that he did not meet our criteria for funding nursing home care as long ago as March this year.

"A further review of his needs is therefore taking place. This includes a reassessment by the Primary Care Trust (PCT) of his nursing needs.

"The council has a responsibility to meet Mr Coglan's identified care needs and will carry out this responsibility, keeping him and his family fully involved."

Andrew Coglan told the Mercury on Tuesday: "Someone from the Primary Care Trust (PCT) came to assess my dad today on behalf of the council and we should find out how it went by the end of the week. I think it went well.