Social services review: 'No win situation' for day care in Birmingham
Mar 21 2009 by Alison Dayani, Birmingham Mail
FAMILIES caring for loved ones with learning disabilities have attacked council bosses for pitting them against each other in the emotional battle to try to maintain current services.
Reaction to the three-month public consultation on an overhaul of day care centres for young adults with learning difficulties across Birmingham has been fierce and unrelenting.
Carers have been told social services is looking closely at options of either closing three council-run day centres or moving around a third of patients out of the small specialised privately-run centres they are currently funded for to save money and modernise the system.
The uncertain future is providing nagging worries for 37 regulars and their carers at the independent Elizabeth Gunn Centre, in Woodville Road, Harborne, which specialises care for the blind. Mother Jeanette Dalton, whose 22-year-old daughter Abbie is blind with cerebral palsy and epilepsy, said that Birmingham City Council’s way of putting everyone in the service under scrutiny was demoralising and devisive.
“When Abbie was first assessed, social workers said normal day centres were not suitable for her but this one deals specifically with the blind,” said 45-year-old Jeanette. ‘‘Abbie went into the Elizabeth Gunn Centre three years ago after moving from Victoria School in Northfield and her needs have not changed since then and nor have other day centres. This is where she needs to be. It will be moving her to a place with substandard care just to save money.”
Jeanette was also angry that the consultation was putting carers experiencing the same problems in opposition.
“Obviously, I am fighting for things to stay the same for Abbie but that will mean some other vulnerable person and their carer will be left devastated,” said Jeanette.
“The council is pitting people against each other. It is a no win situation. If my daughter’s place is saved, then someone else will suffer. No-one should be put in this situation. A council officer came to our centre who couldn’t answer most of our questions. She seemed to just be there to take our anger.
