Family’s attack on care changes

NOT happy . . . Pauline Turner with parents Alexander and Emily Andrews

A FAMILY have slammed changes to a care team which they say will cause unnecessary stress for the borough’s elderly and vulnerable residents.

Pauline Turner (54), from Great Meadow, High Crompton, said her elderly parents Alexander Andrews (90) and Emily Andrews (91) rely on the service of the Community Response Team.

Mr Andrews cannot talk and uses a wheelchair following a stroke 10 years ago but the couple, who are visited by the team twice a day, have been happy with the care provided over the past 10 years.

Mrs Turner said the first she knew of the changes was when she received a letter asking her to meet response team managers.

She said she was told the Community Response Team was being withdrawn and those people passed to a private care agency. Response staff would then be moved to a new team, caring for people during the first six weeks after being discharged from hospital.

Mrs Turner said: “I don’t object to the new team, but people are happy with the current service.

“Why has Social Services made these decisions without any form of consultation?

“When people are in their 90s, new faces coming into the home are a major issue and cause a lot of disruption. My parents understand what is happening but they are upset, my mum is not herself with the thought of new people.

“It is constant change with Social Services, they don’t seem to take into account the people using the service.

“Why is it always the most vulnerable people in our community the ones who will suffer? They should leave our team alone.”

Councillor Jackie Stanton, cabinet member for adults and health said the changes fitted into Government plans to offer people a better range of choice and control about the care they receive — and to focus council resources in helping people regain their independence. She said: “Long-term support will be transferred to a service provider of the individual’s choice.

“There are several private companies registered with the Care Quality Commission in Oldham which are able to provide the required level of service to a high standard.

“I understand that change can sometimes be daunting but council staff are committed to working with all the people involved, and their families, to ensure they are fully supported at every stage.”