Home closure is a mistake, say campaigners
SWANSEA respite home Earlsmoor will close on Wednesday.
The move to close the facility in Brynmill follows a decision by Swansea Council's cabinet earlier this year to "transform respite care services in the city and make them fit for the expectations of users and potential users in the 21st century".
More than 6,000 people signed a petition against the closure and MP Geraint Davies took the campaign to the House of Commons.
However, the council's final decision to close the home has left campaigners disappointed.
Unison regional organiser Glyn Jones said: "We haven't changed our position, we still believe Swansea Council has made a grave error.
"We recognise Earlsmoor was a unique facility for carers to have a break and this uniqueness was because it was a bespoke respite centre people loved going to.
"Everybody visiting Earlsmoor was in the same position and didn't feel like they were spending a few weeks in somebody else's home.
"For us it was a brilliant example of how society should support carers, husbands, wives and partners, and let people live in their homes for longer.
"We regret the decision and believe it was an absolute mistake."
Plans to develop alternatives to the residential respite care unit at Earlsmoor have now been completed.
These include "close to home respite care rooms" in Morriston and Bonymaen, with others in Sketty and Pontarddulais opening later in the year. Further respite care space at Rose Cross House will open in September with more to follow later, and a new respite care apartment at Hazel Court is already open.
On top of that work is also being done to develop respite care day services, independent sector provision and short break options.
Nick Tregoning, cabinet member for social services, said the closure marked the dawn of a new era in respite care in Swansea.
He said: "We are at the start of a new era in which carers and their families will get to choose the kind of respite care that's appropriate to their needs. The day of the one-size-fits-all approach is over. Future generations will benefit from that."
2 Comments
by SUSAN, mumbles
Tuesday, August 31 2010, 11:57PM
“So, the alternative respite provisions are complete are they? I don't think so!!
I believe Earlsmoor could provide 17 bedrooms for respite at any one time. Have these been replaced, as promised by councillor Tregonning, before the doors of Earlsmoor closed for good? in a word NO.
It was said, that residential respite care would still be readily available for those that wanted/needed it. Apparently, all requests for residential respite care, now has to go before a panel, who will make THE decision, who can access this. I have looked into accessing respite for a close relative of mine and I am quite concerned, as I imagine, a lot of carers are. I have been informed that, the unit in Rose Cross in Penlan, is nowhere near ready, the places in Morriston, Manselton, Sketty Park and Pontardullais may be ready by the end of the year, depending on "natural wastage", which I think we all know, means, when the residents who are currently in those rooms pass away! The respite home in Neath, is fully booked until November/December. As for the apartment in Hazel Court, if my relative was able to stay here, then they wouldn't need residential respite care anyway!!
I know the council are going to realize their huge mistake in closing this much needed and much respected respite facility sooner rather than later, but unfortunately it will be much too late.
When they hold their hands up, and admit, they made a really bad decision, there will probably be a very smart block of executive apartments on the site where this much loved respite home should still be!!!!
ABSOLUTELY SHOCKING!!!!!”
by Mike, Swansea
Monday, August 30 2010, 3:17PM
“So where is the petition from Lib Dem councillors in Sketty and Uplands over the loss of this much needed facility?”