Saturday, November 10, 2007
Day Centre to close
As we approach Remembrance Day, perhaps we should spare a thought for our elders who gave their efforts and survived the wars — only to be rewarded by the County Council withdrawing support for them (and their carers) just when it's most needed. (Oh, and they'll have less chance to visit the library too, as the opening hours will be reduced there).
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12 comments:
They have lived through the greatest boom time for the UK in recent history. They have had ample opportunity to accumulate enough wealth to look after themselves in old age without relying on DCC.
The boom time has benefited some individuals and the nation as a whole, but left so many behind. That's what "social security" is really meant to address.
I'm alright Jack seems to be the motto of the day then. What about those who, for whatever reason, didn't manage 'to accumulate enough wealth'? Those, for example, who were already on a limited income during 'the greatest boom time ... in recent history'? Behave yourself 11.15 am!
I trust 11.15 is just winding us up. I had not noticed the private sector offering day care facilities for paying customers in Swanage. A typical day centre user would have retired about 20 years ago long before the present government presided over boom conditions. When they were earning we were enduring the mad Thatcher years with millions kept unemployed in an attempt to reduce inflation.
You can't 'wish' the cake bigger: you either have to charge more in Council Tax (or income tax), or cut some existing service to pay for a service such as the Day Centre.
That's what elections should be for - to vote on what we see as priorities. So don't blame Thatcher - or anyone else: argue for your set of priorities - or increased taxes - and persuade other voters.
Strange that the bigger the booms we are told we are having the less there is for public services.
So its quite simple really. What we need to do is campaign for higher taxes in order to pay the people who do all the low pay service and public sector jobs enough to be able to invest enough so that they will never be a charge on the public purse. Brilliant! Why didn't I think of that. Not quite sure how it works with care assistants in private nursing homes. Would the fees have to be increased so they have high enough incomes to invest? In this case we need even higher taxes so public employees can save enough to pay the increased nursing home fees when they get old and doddery.
Actually thats about right. Called progressive taxation. Milk the rich....Hooraay!
Sounds kinder than redistribution of wealth - either way it's got to be done.
It isn't just Dorset.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/society/2007/nov/22/longtermcare.socialcare?gusrc=rss&feed=11
The final paragraph of the article says it all for me: 'A Department of Health spokesman said: "Local authorities in England saw record investment of more than £65bn in 2007-08. This is set to increase by £2.6bn by 2010-11. In addition, direct funding from the department for social care for older people and support services for carers will increase by £190m to £1.5bn by 2010. It is for local authorities to manage their resources to meet the needs of their populations, and we expect their increased resources to be used in more innovative and flexible ways."
As a LA employee with long years of experience of the difficulties of matching expectations of social care (ie 'wants') with actual needs I know that you can't please everybody all of the time. However providing individual workers don't let the bureaucrats dictate beyond common sense then my experience is that the system can and does ensure that the most vulnerable people are supported safely. When, on the odd occasion, this isn't the case then the rule for staff and clients alike is to complain, complain and complain again - as formally as possible. Trust me - it works! LA's have a duty of care to their residents and, with this, goes a responsibility to provide the necessary services to ensure their safety and welfare. This isn't optional where 'life and limb' depends on such services so, if in doubt, shout.
Congratulations to all who campaigned so tirelessly to keep the Day Centre from being closed. I gather that at a meeting of the Dorset County Council yesterday (17 Jan) , it was agreed to reprieve the Swanage Day Centre (and some others in the county) for the time being at least. I understand the plan is to see how the centre may be better used, perhaps by other groups, to maximise resources.
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