Unions' anger over Earlsmoor 'cut for the elderly'
UNION chiefs have reacted angrily to claims by council bosses that the "one size fits all" approach offered at a Swansea care facility does not suit everybody.
They have hit back saying any decision to shut the doors of Earlsmoor would be a service cut for the elderly.
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Unions' anger over Earlsmoor 'cut for the elderly'
Council chiefs have said if plans were to come into effect to close the Brynmill facility, no jobs would be lost and patients who relied on the facility would be supported elsewhere.
They also said the site was not fit for purpose in the 21st Century.
But Unison regional organiser Glyn Jones said the local authority had never described the respite facility in such a way before. He added that more, not fewer, services were needed for the elderly in Swansea.
"The public are being misled with stories about the service being a 'one size fits all' service, when there is a range of respite provision available.
"Earlsmoor has never been described as 'not fit for purpose', and the council has ignored many of the findings of its own review," he said. "They have no alternatives agreed or in place, and many of the alternative services are not suitable for those who go to Earlsmoor.
"This is cutting services for the elderly under the guise of choice."
No firm decision is expected to be made on the future of Earlsmoor until the new year.
The proposal will first go back before the local authority's overview board in December. Council chiefs say staff believe a total of 29 regular users will need the high level of care on offer at the site in the future — between 12 and 15 use the facility each week. But the cross-party Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Overview Board said one-size- fits-all does not suit everybody.
The board said Earlsmoor should be closed and the budget used to develop new, flexible and innovative models of respite provision.
A Swansea Council spokesman said: "No decision on the future of Earlsmoor has been made.
"If the unit is closed, we will still provide residential respite care for those who need it. Instead of using outdated facilities on offer at Earlsmoor, users will be able to stay in a modern setting that will include facilities Earlsmoor can't offer, such as en-suite bathrooms.
"These proposals have come after consultations with users, staff, the union and agencies such as Age Concern and Swansea Crossroads Care about the future of Earlsmoor."
The row has led Unison to call a public meeting on Thursday, in Swansea's Guildhall, at 7pm to oppose possible closure.
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8 Comments
by Julia, swansea
Monday, November 23 2009, 10:26PM
“According to the Council Earlsmoor is still taking bookings as the decision has not been made to close .Please show you want to continue using the facility by making your 2010 bookings now. It's easier to close an empty establishment than a fully booked one.”
by Victor Meldrew, Swansea West.
Monday, November 23 2009, 8:39PM
“Who is this Peter May chappie from Brynmill?
According to prpoaganda posted through my letter box last week which quoted "Peter May fighting for real change in Swansea"
It went further about him !
" Peter is a hard working local champion who get's thing's done for our area"
Also: "Peter alway's put's local people first. He fought to save Post Offices in Swansea West, restore Brynmill Park and a local Police Station".
Well Peter baby?....
Pull your finger out, and fight to save ( EARLSMOOR) It's in your neck of the wood's !”
by dai evans, swansea
Monday, November 23 2009, 12:33PM
“Now it is the care for elderly who are being targeting, because of cut backs. Yet many of our councillors are still retaining their silly salaries for doing what?. Do we in Swansea really need 72 councillors, and can we afford this many . Quite a few are well over 70 years old. Most of councillors have little or no qualifications in the job undertaken and their attendance in council meetings are dismal. Our senior citizens in care, have been the back-bone in Swansea's history and should be better treated and respected. Again the most vulnerable in society are the ones who are being let down.”
by mr thomas, swansea
Monday, November 23 2009, 1:07AM
“It costs more to stay in a private residential home and they certainly would not receive the same standard of care as at Earlsmoor. The cost is means tested and a lot pay about £150 approx- per week. My father has been going there for over five years and it is a wonderful place. The en-suites would be a waste of space for the majority, have those suggesting them ever tried to assist someone in a small en-suite with a zimmer frame or wheelchair, I think not. Why are they not looking at other services and buildings that are no more up to date than Earlsmoor. Location perhaps, developmental prospects.”
by Dai, Swansea
Saturday, November 21 2009, 2:19PM
“It costs £580 a WEEK to put a senior citizen into a council run nursing home. Anyone who had been prudent with money over the years end up having to use their cash and sell their home to pay the HIGHWAY ROBBERS known as the council.
This is nothing to Councillor Holley and his motley crew who are between them taking between £30 and 50 thousand a year for doing nothing other than bankrupting our city.”
by Jon, Mumbles
Saturday, November 21 2009, 8:49AM
“I know soneone who stayed here and paid £500 a week, They could move the residents into the Marriott for that!”
by bart, Swansea
Saturday, November 21 2009, 4:35AM
“If 12 - 15 people use this service, then the service is required, do not close Earlsmoor. Improve the service, put in the en-suite bathrooms, if thats all thats missing.
Or is this just an easy excuse to sell off sea front land.”
by hugh, marina
Friday, November 20 2009, 11:28PM
“lib dem council enforcing labours cuts”