Wolverhampton care home places could be scrapped in 'disgraceful' attempt to saver £1.1m

Fifty care home places could be scrapped in Wolverhampton – but vulnerable residents may be forced to pay extra for an emergency at-home service.

And at the same time 150 elderly people might no longer receive care at home.

Bosses would save £1.1m under the three cost-cutting proposals, which were today labelled as a 'disgraceful'.

People previously exempt from paying for Carelink, which provides an alarm service at home, may now have to pay, while the weekly charge could go up from £3.28 to £3.35.

The council's finance chief Andrew Johnson defended the move.

He stressed the proposals were being consulted on and said having 50 more people living at home instead of in a care home was a 'win-win' situation.

With the local authority having to save £123m before 2019, bosses are looking to streamline services across the board.

But the chair of the Wolverhampton Pensioners' Convention said making cuts to services which affect elderly and vulnerable people was 'very risky'.

Pat O'Dowd said of the proposals: "I think it's despicable.

"How do you decide who needs to be in a care home and who doesn't?

"They're in a care home for a reason. And equally, taking care away from people at home is just wrong.

"We're an ageing population and dementia will double in the next few years, but at the same time they're cutting these types of services.

"It all boils down to money but these people deserve better."

Carelink is a 24/7 alarm system, offering vulnerable people help at the push of a button.

Those who are currently exempt from paying but who would be charged under the proposals are those with a means-tested benefit who also received Attendance Allowance, Disability Living Allowance or a Personal Independence Payment.

Tory opposition leader Councillor Wendy Thompson said: "It's not right to attack the most vulnerable section of the population.

"They seem to be trying to squeeze every single penny they possibly can."

A report on the proposal to take away at-home care for 150 people said it was 'a risk' and added: "Citizens will be supported to remain independent by making use of Promoting Independence support.

"Customers will continue to be assessed, when appropriate, and their eligible needs will be met whenever possible by means which promote independence."

Councillor Johnson said of Carelink and proposals to cut 50 care home places: "It's not something we want to do.

"No one will be priced out (of Carelink) – for some it will go up but for others it will go down.

"Residents will be properly and professionally assessed. People prefer to be looked after in their own homes and the costs come down for the tax payer – it's a win-win."