UNION officials have condemned a controversial plan to close seven council-run day centres in Northumberland – branding it a retrograde step in care for the elderly and vulnerable.
Officials of Unite, Unison and the GMB – who represent the 51 care workers at the threatened centres – are demanding there should be no compulsory redundancies if a decision is eventually taken to shut them down.
The unions are the latest to voice opposition, anger and concern over the county council proposal to close the day care centres in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Hexham and Haltwhistle, which are used by about 370 elderly people a week.
Care chiefs are launching formal consultations on introducing a new system which involves giving older people ‘personal budgets’ which they can spend on getting out of the house and taking part in social activities of their choice.
The plan involves closing the seven traditional day centres, where clients are taken by minibus to spend time with people of their own age, have lunch and take part in group activities.
I know how much day care means to those who use it - cut the salaries of the fat cats at the top of NCC and keep the centres open!
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