Vow to keep up fight for care home
Campaigners fighting to keep a respite care unit open have vowed not to throw in the towel.
A recent Swansea Council report has recommended that 17-bed facility Earlsmoor should close, following a lengthy consultation process.
It says running the centre, which costs around £700,000 a year, is too pricey and taxpayers' money for care services could be used better.
The final decision is yet to be rubbed-stamped, with Swansea Council cabinet members still to give the recommendation their seal of approval.
Unison regional organiser Glyn Jones said he was deeply disappointed by the report's recommendations, but stressed the fight was not over.
He said: "No final decision has been taken on Earlsmoor. The council report is merely a recommendation. We hope that cabinet members will make a realistic decision and understand how valuable Earlsmoor is.
"It is the best service that can be provided to the kind of people its looks after."
Earlsmoor, situated in Bryn Road, Brynmill, has won praise over the years for its care services. Previous patients and their families have described the unit as a "lifeline" and as giving them "more dignity" than a residential home.
But last year, questions about Earlsmoor's future were raised when Swansea Council said it was considering closing it down.
After months of consultation, a report by the council's Health, Social Care and Wellbeing Overview Board said it supported that view.
The report also highlighted the cost of staying at Earlsmoor was £529.80 per week.
This was compared with £419 per week at an independent care home or a daily two-hour visit from a care-worker, priced at £210 per week.
Nick Tregoning, cabinet member for social services said: "Whatever happens to the unit, Swansea Council is pledged to provide residential respite care in modern facilities for those who need it."
Council health board members are due to discuss the matter at a meeting open to the public in the chamber meeting room at the Civic Centre, at 10.30am today.
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by jo, swansea
Monday, February 08 2010, 5:53PM
“to older carer i completely understand how u feel i am one of the staff who cares for your relative, i dont know who are talking about but i know how hard it is. for me its a choice and a job that i love but then go go home to my family at the end of everyday i never forget the people i care for but dont think i could do it 24/7 without support. we are such a valuable service for people like you and i and all the staff at earlsmoor will be sorry to see it go not because of the money it pays we will get that wherever we work but the people we care for that call us there second famliy the ones we see for the careres to have a break. i damn swansea council for doing such a thing as one of our guests called it a little haven by the sea they are closing us down as if its not important but those who use it know what it means to have a week of peace and quiet while the ones they love so much are in the best hands that they trust.. i am sorry for the cabinet members who will close us down because one day they will be old and have a few memory problems but who will be there to help them till the end not there friends in earlsmoor the little haven by the sea.xxx”
by geoff, Westcross
Monday, January 25 2010, 3:55PM
“Roy Boy
No one including your"Elderly"uncle has never done a thing for me thankyou.
what iv got,in,and from life has been down my mature and broad outlook,Oh and business acumen
So dont patronise me soft lad!
You sound like the local bible puncher in dumpvant
go and haunt them!”
by roy, dunvant
Monday, January 25 2010, 3:19PM
“Geoff--You are either a silly wind up merchant--or a member of this inept Lib/Dem council--or even a pompus ar-e, or perhaps possibly a complete immature adult. It would be a complete waste of time explaining what this older generation did for our country, they even brought you into this world, though perhaps you are that insensitive to appreciate. what any older person did for you.”
by Not So Patient, Swansea
Monday, January 25 2010, 1:23PM
“geoff, Westcross
Have read your first post, it suggested you might be on the road to being 'Senile' already (and thats got nothing to do with viewing another part of Africa where a certain river flows)! Hehe, geof!”
by geoff, Westcross
Monday, January 25 2010, 12:52PM
“ROY
For the grace off geoff go i!!!”