Tuesday 14 August 2007

Lewisham: Plea over service cuts for old folk

Community groups are campaigning to raise awareness of potential cuts to elderly and disabled people's services - reports the South London Press.

Lewisham council could slash adult social care services for people assessed as having substantial needs.

A consultation period for the changes has been extended by a month to September 15.

Lewisham Mencap and Age Concern Lewisham are pleading with people to make their views known.

Both charities believe if the cuts go ahead their clients' conditions may worsen, and that many people probably don't know what is being considered by the council.

Nick O'Shea, of Lewisham Mencap, said: "We have been rallying parents, holding meetings and getting people to fill out the consultation forms.

Lewisham council is considering three options, including only providing non-residential adult social care to those with "critical" and "greater substantial" needs.

It is believed if the cuts go ahead it will affect 580 people and save the council around £1.6million.

Chris Lunn, of Age Concern Lewisham, said: "We recognise the council has to make decisions but we want to present the case for older people as strongly as possible.

"We are asking people to really consider how this will impact on themselves, their family and those who already need these services.

"There is a lot of evidence that shows people in these circumstances get worse quickly without help and end up needing intensive and very expensive services instead."


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