19th February – 6.00pm – a resident offers a view

A Seacombe resident with years of experience observed Monday’s Council meeting and sent these comments.  ( The comments are not intended to reflect Labour Party policy and are printed as a contribution to a necessary public debate.)

 Hi Adrian, I attended the council meeting on Monday 15th February 2010 & Just thought this link would be of interest. 

 http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/8520800.stm 

I would also like to pass on my thoughts with regards to one of the issues raised at the meeting. 

 I agree with the council’s current proposals to terminate current contracts & asking the private care providers to tender for new contracts.   From my past experience working within the private care sector (working from care assistant to a qualified manager)  any increase given by the local authority, is very rarely  passed on in wage increases to the staff who areoften on minimum wage.

Increases of rates often merely increase the profits of the owners or subsidises the fact that many care home beds are often empty. 

The conservative view that without increases or changes in the current contracts it would result in deteriorating conditions is flawed.  I am sure you are aware that the care establishments have to meet minimum legal staffing levels as well as being assessed on a regular basis to meet minimum requirements. 

 I agree that if all beds are not full in any one establishment it is not fulfilling its full potential with regards to its profit & staffing levels, but the public purse cannot continue to subsidise & support private businesses  who are not trying to adapt to demand. 

 After dealing with many authorities across the country with regards to the funding of clients within the care establishments I have worked in, I can also state that wirral pays higher rates than many others. 

While I can accept that there will always be a need for institutional care, the demand for such care is dropping with the development & advances in medical science & personal assistance technology. 

 Respite care is something that has not been invested in by the private sector & while this will be a high turnover of clients, there would never be a shortage & would release valuable beds & resources that would otherwise be provided by the NHS. 

Community care is most definitely the way forward, but my personal opinion from experience this type of care, is that is not monitored & regulated very well & often leads to failure of service provision, neglect & many forms abuse. 

Day care centres are by far one of my personally favourite options, I have been to many centres that provide the many resources that institutional care can provide like: care, assistance with washing & bathing, monitoring of health & medication & companionship. 

   This & more is what day care centres can offer but without the loss of independence & dignity also at a fraction of the cost of permanent institutional care. 

We have an ageing population that needs & deserves the best services available. Staying at home for as long as possible will maintain the highest levels of dignity & privacy & undoubtedly be the cheapest but overall best option. 

I do hope you do not mind me emailing you with these observations & opinions. 

Thank you,

(This resident’s name and address were provided.)

We were delighted to hear this view from somebody with ‘inside’ experience 

Does anybody else with ‘hands on’ experience want to contribute?