Union bosses in blast over closure plans for care home

UNION chiefs have condemned plans to shut a council-run city care facility.

They claim if the doors of Earlsmoor respite care centre are closed for good it would cut off support to some of the most vulnerable people in society.

The Brynmill facility primarily cares for elderly patients who have just left hospital.

In June, Swansea Council first unveiled plans to shake up care services across the city.

It followed an in-depth study, which suggested the traditional one-size-fits-all approach should make way for a more flexible service that could support people more effectively.

Under the plan, it said the future of Earlsmoor would also have to be considered.

But a spokesman for Unison said the union believed it was vital to ensure the service was sustained in the future.

He said: "This Sunday is Remembrance Sunday, surely it is fitting the council remembers the needs of the elderly by retaining a vital and popular service rather than cutting it?

"Although the council say that they are going to develop new services — which is welcome — by closing Earlsmoor, this is robbing Peter to pay Paul, and is in reality a cut in support disguised by progressive rhetoric. "Where are those elderly people who use Earlsmoor going to go? How will their carers cope if they are unable to have a break that Earlsmoor provides?"

He added: "There are currently no alternative new services in place, and no answer from the council about what support will be provided to those that regularly use the service — most of whom probably do not know the councils plans.

"So much for 'con- sultation' with the very people who use the service."

The union spokesman said he believed the centre still had a role to play in the future of respite services in the city.

"Earlsmoor could be at the centre both of the current respite provision, and any new flexible services the council say they will develop,'' he said.

"We demand the council think again before it cuts support for the elderly and their carers."

A campaign meeting to save Earlsmoor is being held on Wednesday, at Brynmill Community Centre, on St Alban's Road, in Brynmill, at 7pm. It is open to council staff, the public, trade unions, service users and their carers.