Dr. Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli and local Plaid AM, Helen Mary Jones, have welcomed a u-turn from Labour over support for older disabled people. Attendance Allowance and Disability Living Allowance previously been under threat to pay for Government schemes in England.
The Government has now promised that they will no longer be looking to change them in the next Parliament.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary had supported local disabilities and pensions campaigners in fighting the threat and had worked closely with Plaid colleagues in Westminster to oppose these changes which would have seen thousands of elderly and vulnerable people in Llanelli between £65 and £75 per week worse off on average.
Dr. Davies said:
“This U-turn doesn’t come a moment too soon– although some might question its timing just before a general election”.
Across Llanelli, 4,000 people depend on Attendance allowance while 8,000 people depend on Disability Living Allowance.
“These people are all either disabled or over the age of 65, the groups least likely to be able to live on their own and look after themselves.
“The proposals that Labour made last summer put enormous pressure on our most vulnerable people. It is wrong that so many of them and their families have had to live with the uncertainty about how they would manage to live independently if this support was taken away”.
“It was unacceptable that the Government suggested these cruel cuts in the first place”.
“They are not doing our most vulnerable people a favour by removing the threat that they themselves made.”
Helen Mary added:
“We have fought these changes since they were first suggested and we have been supporting local disability rights and pensioners groups in putting pressure on the Government to change its mind”.
“It is clear that the combined pressure has helped the Government towards this last minute conversion”.
“We should not have needed to defend support for the most vulnerable but, time and again, we have had to do so. Decisions on support for our most vulnerable need to be made by the Assembly in Cardiff so that we can avoid the distress caused to so many older and disabled people by these cruel cuts initially planned by Labour.”
Showing posts with label older people. Show all posts
Showing posts with label older people. Show all posts
Tuesday, 30 March 2010
Monday, 25 January 2010
Plaid : Raise alcohol price to save the traditional pub
Minimum pricing on alcohol should be introduced to save local traditional pubs says Plaid AM Helen Mary Jones and Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for LLanelli.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol to help traditional pubs in their battle against cheap supermarket offers. As well as helping the troubled pub industry, they believe that raising the price of cheap alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking and reduce crime levels.
Many local landlords have been raising their concerns with Helen Mary and Myfanwy, and the difficulties they’re facing as they fight to compete with the low alcohol prices in supermarkets.
Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy have welcomed recommendations in a recent report by the House of Commons Health Committee to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Other recommendations included restrictions on advertising visible to children and a ban on alcohol ads on social networking websites.
Plaid’s Helen Mary and Myfanwy will be sending out a questionnaire in the next few weeks to all the pubs within the Llanelli constituency, asking if they’d like to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol.
Plaid‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"There is very strong evidence from the British Medical Association, amongst others, that introducing a minimum price on alcohol can make a real difference in tackling the binge drinking culture.
The current culture of low prices in supermarkets is also very bad for our community pubs who can’t compete on prices, and who often find themselves in a situation where customers will have had a lot to drink before they arrive at the pub, and then responsible landlords might even be in a position of feeling that they can’t serve them.
We’re going to be surveying all pubs in the Llanelli area to find out their views on a minimum price for alcohol, and other steps that they’d like to see Government in Cardiff or London taking to support their businesses.
The community pub has an important role to play and we’ve lost too many of them in recent years. I want to see what we can do to support the community pubs that we have left here in the Llanelli area, and to help ensure that they have a prosperous future.”
Myfanwy added:
"We are seeing worryingly high levels of alcoholism in Llanelli as people tend to drink more on their own at home and tend to buy much stronger drinks than they would have in the past. It is so easy to buy very cheap vodka and other spirits from supermarkets and the low cost encourages people to drink much more as they 'frontload' or drink before going out for the evening.
Neighbourhood pubs can play a very important role in helping people drink responsibly because they are about more than just drinking. They are places to meet and for older people in particular they offer company and social support.
We know that our neighbourhood pubs are facing a very difficult time and we want to be able to offer them practical help.”
Myfanwy and Helen Mary want to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol to help traditional pubs in their battle against cheap supermarket offers. As well as helping the troubled pub industry, they believe that raising the price of cheap alcohol would help deter youngsters from binge drinking and reduce crime levels.
Many local landlords have been raising their concerns with Helen Mary and Myfanwy, and the difficulties they’re facing as they fight to compete with the low alcohol prices in supermarkets.
Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy have welcomed recommendations in a recent report by the House of Commons Health Committee to introduce a minimum price for alcohol. Other recommendations included restrictions on advertising visible to children and a ban on alcohol ads on social networking websites.
Plaid’s Helen Mary and Myfanwy will be sending out a questionnaire in the next few weeks to all the pubs within the Llanelli constituency, asking if they’d like to see the introduction of minimum pricing on alcohol.
Plaid‘s Helen Mary Jones said:
"There is very strong evidence from the British Medical Association, amongst others, that introducing a minimum price on alcohol can make a real difference in tackling the binge drinking culture.
The current culture of low prices in supermarkets is also very bad for our community pubs who can’t compete on prices, and who often find themselves in a situation where customers will have had a lot to drink before they arrive at the pub, and then responsible landlords might even be in a position of feeling that they can’t serve them.
We’re going to be surveying all pubs in the Llanelli area to find out their views on a minimum price for alcohol, and other steps that they’d like to see Government in Cardiff or London taking to support their businesses.
The community pub has an important role to play and we’ve lost too many of them in recent years. I want to see what we can do to support the community pubs that we have left here in the Llanelli area, and to help ensure that they have a prosperous future.”
Myfanwy added:
"We are seeing worryingly high levels of alcoholism in Llanelli as people tend to drink more on their own at home and tend to buy much stronger drinks than they would have in the past. It is so easy to buy very cheap vodka and other spirits from supermarkets and the low cost encourages people to drink much more as they 'frontload' or drink before going out for the evening.
Neighbourhood pubs can play a very important role in helping people drink responsibly because they are about more than just drinking. They are places to meet and for older people in particular they offer company and social support.
We know that our neighbourhood pubs are facing a very difficult time and we want to be able to offer them practical help.”
Thursday, 21 January 2010
Pensioners in Llanelli would benefit from Plaid’s proposals for a “Living Pension”
Over 17,000 pensioners in Llanelli would benefit from Plaid Cymru’s General Election promise to increase the state benison by 30% says local AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate Myfanwy Davies.
Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones outlined his party’s proposal in the forthcoming General Election for a “Living Pension” during a keynote speech in the Cynon Valley last Monday. Their pledge comes as figures show that £5.4 billion of benefits for older people are left unclaimed in the UK each year, because pensioners find the process of applying for Pension credits complicated and intrusive.
Plaid is campaigning for a Living Pension, which would mean that all pensioners get the increased pension - which next year would amount to £202 per week for a couple. The commitment would be phased in gradually, starting with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners over 80 years old.
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"With a shocking 74% rise in cold weather deaths in Wales last year, pensioners poverty and protecting key public services must take priority over bankers’ bonuses, nuclear weapons and ID cards.
The Tories want unfair taxes, New Labour want to keep the bankers’ bonus culture and the Lib Dems’ credibility went out of the window when Clegg admitted they had been making promises they could not afford all along.
"Our policy is affordable as the policy would be phased in gradually, with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners benefiting firstly. We in Plaid Cymru know that many pensioners in poverty do not apply for a pension credit, and we also know that many pensioners face huge personal care bills.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
"Our Living Pension scheme will ensure a decent income for pensioners starting with the oldest. It is the right thing to do but it is also a practical step to help the most vulnerable people in our communities and to direct much-needed spending to the small local businesses where older people tend to shop.
Labour and the Tories are falling over themselves to cut vital public spending while we are still in recession. That is the economics of the madhouse. Public spending is the only thing keeping the economy afloat as things stand and we must stand by the most vulnerable in our communities when times are hard."
Plaid Leader Ieuan Wyn Jones outlined his party’s proposal in the forthcoming General Election for a “Living Pension” during a keynote speech in the Cynon Valley last Monday. Their pledge comes as figures show that £5.4 billion of benefits for older people are left unclaimed in the UK each year, because pensioners find the process of applying for Pension credits complicated and intrusive.
Plaid is campaigning for a Living Pension, which would mean that all pensioners get the increased pension - which next year would amount to £202 per week for a couple. The commitment would be phased in gradually, starting with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners over 80 years old.
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"With a shocking 74% rise in cold weather deaths in Wales last year, pensioners poverty and protecting key public services must take priority over bankers’ bonuses, nuclear weapons and ID cards.
The Tories want unfair taxes, New Labour want to keep the bankers’ bonus culture and the Lib Dems’ credibility went out of the window when Clegg admitted they had been making promises they could not afford all along.
"Our policy is affordable as the policy would be phased in gradually, with the oldest and most vulnerable pensioners benefiting firstly. We in Plaid Cymru know that many pensioners in poverty do not apply for a pension credit, and we also know that many pensioners face huge personal care bills.”
Myfanwy Davies added:
"Our Living Pension scheme will ensure a decent income for pensioners starting with the oldest. It is the right thing to do but it is also a practical step to help the most vulnerable people in our communities and to direct much-needed spending to the small local businesses where older people tend to shop.
Labour and the Tories are falling over themselves to cut vital public spending while we are still in recession. That is the economics of the madhouse. Public spending is the only thing keeping the economy afloat as things stand and we must stand by the most vulnerable in our communities when times are hard."
Sunday, 10 January 2010
Battle to stop homes closing steps up a gear
Angry relatives of vulnerable residents have vowed to step up their campaign to fight care home closure plans in Llanelli. If the County Council plans to shut both Caemaen and St Paul 's Residential Care Homes go ahead, over 50 elderly vulnerable people will face eviction from their homes, and even more jobs will be lost in the area.
Carmarthenshire County Council announced draft plans to shut four Care Homes in Carmarthenshire back in November, as part of their ten year plan to finance new home care services in the area.
In the latest public meeting held on Friday, angry campaigners once again raised their concerns, and it was agreed that advocates for the Residents will be arranged. The Caemaen and St Paul ’s Groups also agreed to merge into one Action Committee in order to focus more effectively.
Myfanwy and Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones have supported campaigners in drafting letters which will be be sent to various Councillors from members of the Groups in the next few days. Helen Mary will also be meeting with the Health Minister Edwina Hart and the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas this week to discuss the issue.
Many of the resident's relatives are very worried about the serious effects a move could have on the health of their loved ones. This is referred to as ‘Transfer Trauma’ and it is estimated that at least 30% of people moved from one home to another die within one year.
Deryk Cundy, whose father is cared for at Caemaen Residential Care Home said:
"We are determined to fight these outrageous plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls. This is yet another example of our vulnerable elderly suffering as a result of the Council's efforts to save money. How would you feel if you were to be evicted for paying your rent?
Already the Council are changing the functionality of Llys Y Bryn, behind the Councillor's backs, by replacing Residential Care Places with 12 Convalescence Beds and moving 7 Respite Beds that were there to St Pauls. This is in effect reducing the Residential Care places by another 19 places - theft by stealth. The Council are trying to sell off the "family silver" - the Care Homes that we are going to need in the future.
Even according to the Council figures, in 6 years we will have another 10% of the elderly needing Care places - in Llanelli that means an extra 103 places - if we close our Care Homes in Llanelli alone we will be short of 162 places in 2016 with potentially disastrous results for our whole community.
I believe that everyone should have the right to high levels of care and safety, now and in the future, for me, you, your families and your friends. The people we are trying to protect here are the vulnerable, dependant people who cannot look after themselves.
We have some superb Local Authority Homes with caring staff providing the care that is rare in today's world. Care that we can rely on to provide the safe environment that the elderly in our community need and have every right to expect. Why should we let this be stolen from us ?"
Local AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"The council needs to look at a more creative way of saving money rather than reducing the service that the elderly and vulnerable depend on. Llanelli needs to be a place where people are not frightened to get old, knowing that they will be welcomed and cared for in the future. I’ll be meeting the Health Minister as well as the Deputy Minister for Social Services this week to discuss what support the Welsh Assembly Government could offer with regards to the issue.”
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli added:
“Moving older people from their homes is distressing and some may not survive a
move. Our older people will not be sacrificed to the Council's half baked ideas about privatisation and the Council don't even know the cost of the new programmes."
Carmarthenshire County Council announced draft plans to shut four Care Homes in Carmarthenshire back in November, as part of their ten year plan to finance new home care services in the area.
In the latest public meeting held on Friday, angry campaigners once again raised their concerns, and it was agreed that advocates for the Residents will be arranged. The Caemaen and St Paul ’s Groups also agreed to merge into one Action Committee in order to focus more effectively.
Myfanwy and Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones have supported campaigners in drafting letters which will be be sent to various Councillors from members of the Groups in the next few days. Helen Mary will also be meeting with the Health Minister Edwina Hart and the Deputy Minister for Social Services, Gwenda Thomas this week to discuss the issue.
Many of the resident's relatives are very worried about the serious effects a move could have on the health of their loved ones. This is referred to as ‘Transfer Trauma’ and it is estimated that at least 30% of people moved from one home to another die within one year.
Deryk Cundy, whose father is cared for at Caemaen Residential Care Home said:
"We are determined to fight these outrageous plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls. This is yet another example of our vulnerable elderly suffering as a result of the Council's efforts to save money. How would you feel if you were to be evicted for paying your rent?
Already the Council are changing the functionality of Llys Y Bryn, behind the Councillor's backs, by replacing Residential Care Places with 12 Convalescence Beds and moving 7 Respite Beds that were there to St Pauls. This is in effect reducing the Residential Care places by another 19 places - theft by stealth. The Council are trying to sell off the "family silver" - the Care Homes that we are going to need in the future.
Even according to the Council figures, in 6 years we will have another 10% of the elderly needing Care places - in Llanelli that means an extra 103 places - if we close our Care Homes in Llanelli alone we will be short of 162 places in 2016 with potentially disastrous results for our whole community.
I believe that everyone should have the right to high levels of care and safety, now and in the future, for me, you, your families and your friends. The people we are trying to protect here are the vulnerable, dependant people who cannot look after themselves.
We have some superb Local Authority Homes with caring staff providing the care that is rare in today's world. Care that we can rely on to provide the safe environment that the elderly in our community need and have every right to expect. Why should we let this be stolen from us ?"
Local AM Helen Mary Jones said:
"The council needs to look at a more creative way of saving money rather than reducing the service that the elderly and vulnerable depend on. Llanelli needs to be a place where people are not frightened to get old, knowing that they will be welcomed and cared for in the future. I’ll be meeting the Health Minister as well as the Deputy Minister for Social Services this week to discuss what support the Welsh Assembly Government could offer with regards to the issue.”
Myfanwy Davies, Plaid's Parliamentary Candidate for Llanelli added:
“Moving older people from their homes is distressing and some may not survive a
move. Our older people will not be sacrificed to the Council's half baked ideas about privatisation and the Council don't even know the cost of the new programmes."
Wednesday, 2 December 2009
Helen Mary and Myfanwy pleased as plans to shut care homes are shelved
Llanelli AM Helen Mary Jones and Plaid's Parliamentary candidate for Llanelli Myfanwy Davies have expressed their delight that council plans to close Caemaen and St Paul’s residential homes in Llanelli have been shelved. Both Helen Mary and Myfanwy last week pledged their to support an action group that has been fighting hard against these closure plans.
The County Council had wanted to close the residential homes in order to finance new home care services but the plans made no provision for care while those services were being delivered and had no detail of the costs or savings to be made. The plans contained no detail about where residents who were too frail for home care would be housed , but officers’ remarks about empty beds in private care homes raised residents fears that they would be sent out of Council care.
Myfanwy travelled to Carmarthen in a convoy of two buses of protesters from Caemaen home yesterday and helped lobby councillors as they arrived for the meeting of the County Council’s Scrutiny Committee. During the meeting, members of the Plaid Cymru group time and again drew attention to the weakness of the report and warned about privatising care by stealth. To the protesters delight, the Plaid group insisted on a vote to reject the plans as they stand. However, a task and finish group will be convened to examine the plans in detail.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
"I’m very pleased indeed that the Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee has rejected the proposal to shut St Paul’s and Caemaen. I am concerned however that the discussions of the task and finish group around the future of social care in Carmarthenshire should not end up coming to the same conclusions but behind closed doors.
There has been a great campaign in the community to support the care that’s being provided at Caemaen and St Paul’s, and both Myfanwy and I have been fully supportive of the hard work that's been going on. I will continue to support those campaigning to keep this provision available for the people who want it and need it.”
Myfanwy added:
“The Council’s plans were ill-conceived and it was quite right for the Plaid members of the scrutiny committee to reject them on those grounds. It is entirely wrong to make savings at the expense of our most vulnerable people but it seems the Council had not even calculated the costs and had not considered how residents would be cared for while the new accommodation was built.
Moving older people from their homes is distressing and some may not survive a move. I am very pleased that we have been able to win the first battle in this war. Our older people will not be sacrificed to the Council’s half-baked ideas about privatisation. "
The County Council had wanted to close the residential homes in order to finance new home care services but the plans made no provision for care while those services were being delivered and had no detail of the costs or savings to be made. The plans contained no detail about where residents who were too frail for home care would be housed , but officers’ remarks about empty beds in private care homes raised residents fears that they would be sent out of Council care.
Myfanwy travelled to Carmarthen in a convoy of two buses of protesters from Caemaen home yesterday and helped lobby councillors as they arrived for the meeting of the County Council’s Scrutiny Committee. During the meeting, members of the Plaid Cymru group time and again drew attention to the weakness of the report and warned about privatising care by stealth. To the protesters delight, the Plaid group insisted on a vote to reject the plans as they stand. However, a task and finish group will be convened to examine the plans in detail.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
"I’m very pleased indeed that the Council’s Health and Social Care Scrutiny Committee has rejected the proposal to shut St Paul’s and Caemaen. I am concerned however that the discussions of the task and finish group around the future of social care in Carmarthenshire should not end up coming to the same conclusions but behind closed doors.
There has been a great campaign in the community to support the care that’s being provided at Caemaen and St Paul’s, and both Myfanwy and I have been fully supportive of the hard work that's been going on. I will continue to support those campaigning to keep this provision available for the people who want it and need it.”
Myfanwy added:
“The Council’s plans were ill-conceived and it was quite right for the Plaid members of the scrutiny committee to reject them on those grounds. It is entirely wrong to make savings at the expense of our most vulnerable people but it seems the Council had not even calculated the costs and had not considered how residents would be cared for while the new accommodation was built.
Moving older people from their homes is distressing and some may not survive a move. I am very pleased that we have been able to win the first battle in this war. Our older people will not be sacrificed to the Council’s half-baked ideas about privatisation. "
Wednesday, 25 November 2009
Helen Mary and Myfanwy slam fake consulation on Council’s plan for Llanelli's older people
Following a packed meeting at Caemaen Residential Homes last night, Helen Mary Jones AM and Plaid Westminster candidate Myfanwy Davies, have condemned the way in which the consultation has been conducted by officers and demanded that Pat Jones, the executive member in charge of social care take responsibility for her decision and the conduct of the consultation.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’. Ms Porter, who was recently employed by the County and who had developed “extra care’ programmes in Bromley vociferously supported his position many times silencing residents and their families in order to advocate this contentious model of care which is associated with failure in England.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’. Ms Porter, who was recently employed by the County and who had developed “extra care’ programmes in Bromley vociferously supported his position many times silencing residents and their families in order to advocate this contentious model of care which is associated with failure in England.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Tuesday, 24 November 2009
Helen Mary and Myfanwy slam fake consulation on council’s plan for Llanelli older people
Following a packed meeting at Caemaen Residential Homes last night, Helen Mary Jones AM and Plaid Westminster candidate Myfanwy Davies, have condemned the way in which the consultation has been conducted by officers and demanded that Pat Jones, the executive member in charge of social care take responsibility for her decision and the conduct of the consultation.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Last week the Llanelli Star reported on council plans to close Caemaen and St Pauls’ residential homes in Llanelli. Responding to this news, Myfanwy and Helen Mary sought and received a reassurance from Bruce McLearnon, Carmarthen’s Director of Social Services who claimed in a letter, that all options were open and that no decision had yet been made on closing the homes.
Nonetheless, yesterday evening Bruce McLearnon supported by Sheila Porter as Director of Integrated Services, affirmed that his preferred plan was for the closure of Caemaen and the development of support services at home known as ‘extra care’.
Throughout the meeting, the Director also emphasised the need to cut costs as a primary motivator for the plan. Residents and families at the packed meeting were vigorously opposed to closure with residents making a unanimous show of hands in support of staying at Caemaen.
Plaid’s Helen Mary Jones said:
“Myfanwy and I had been assured that all options were open. It is clear that they are not insofar as Carmarthen Council is concerned and it is also clear that these decisions are being made for financial reasons. Yes, there is less money available and some of those MPs who voted to bail out the banks need to look carefully at their consciences now, but Carmarthen Council still finds funds for showcase projects and for its own publicity.”
“It is unacceptable that officials have sought to mislead families and residents by suggesting that Caemaen contravenes care standards by not having en-suite facilities. That is not the case. During the meeting, officials sought to suggest their plans were in some way intended to protect older people’s dignity. Those residents present made their views known by a unanimous show of hands, how much dignity does it afford any of us that their wished are denied?”
Myfanwy added:
“After receiving assurances from Mr McLearnon, Helen Mary and I went to the meeting with open minds. It is now clear that Carmarthen Council’s mind is already made up. Indeed when residents and families asked whether their opposition had made any difference at all to the Director’s view, he replied that it had not. That in itself is shocking proof of the need for Burry Port Labour Councillor Pat Jones, the lead on Social Care to stand up and take political responsibility for her decision and the conduct of her officers.”
“In general, I would support plans that keep people at home and independent where that are properly supported but there are sadly few examples of these plans working. We heard last night how residents in Caemaen had not been able to stay at home with existing home care support and had in some cases suffered serious neglect within home care. It is just not acceptable that older people should be moved against their will”.
Myfanwy and Helen Mary have pledged to support an action group that will fight these closure plans.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)