'It jeopardises their safety': Stafford MP's anger over removal of 24-hour care team from retirement complex
A council has been accused of putting the safety of elderly people in jeopardy after announcing the removal of 24-hour care services from a retirement home.
Stafford MP Leigh Ingham has written to Councillor Ian Cooper, leader of Staffordshire County Council, and Councillor Martin Rogerson, cabinet member for health and care, demanding a rethink on plans to remove the 24-hour care team Jubilee Court.
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Miss Ingham said 19 residents of the home in Edison Road, Coton Fields were in receipt of council-funded care packages.
At the moment, these are provided by a care team based at the complex, but from January this service will be replaced with visiting carers. The complex is privately owned, but the care workers are provided by the council.
"They deserve better than a cost-cutting exercise that jeopardises their safety and undermines the principles of dignity and care our social support system should stand for.," Miss Ingham said.
Councillor Rogerson said the 24-hour support was not necessary, and the cost could not be justified.
Miss Ingham said the consultation process had been 'wholly inadequate and unacceptable', with only some of the 19 residents having been informed of the changes, and not all at the same time.
"Residents tell me there has been no attempt to engage with them collectively and no meaningful forum for questions or scrutiny," she said.
"Instead, the council has pursued a piecemeal, one-to-one approach that residents have said felt confusing and, in some cases, intimidating."
Miss Ingham said the decision appeared to be one of cost cutting, but one that was based on false economy. She said the on-site overnight care provision at Jubilee Court was a fundamental part of the support model.
"Indeed, I am aware of at least one case where Staffordshire County Council has supported the placement of an individual precisely because that service existed," she said.
"Removing that provision will not make their needs disappear and there is a significant risk that some residents will be forced to move into residential care settings, which typically cost upwards of £1,000 per person per week, far higher than the current preventative model.
"Others may experience increased emergency hospital admissions, heavier reliance on overstretched ambulance services, and growing pressure on unpaid carers and family members."
Miss Ingham urged the council to postpone the changes until a 'full and transparent' consultation had been carried out with residents, families, staff, and advocacy organisations.
She called on the council to enter a meaningful dialogue with residents as a community, rather than on a one-by-one basis, and publish the evidence on which the decision had been based.
She said until these measures had been achieved, she would continue to support residents, families, and staff at Jubilee Court in opposing this proposal.
The council said all residents received letters about the changes, and drop-in sessions had been organised.
Councillor Rogerson said the 40-room complex was privately run by Extra Care retirement living, and on-site support was the responsibility of the landlord.
“The council funds care services for some residents and they will continue to receive care calls at the usual times," he said.
“None of these residents require permanent access to on-site care staff overnight and they will continue to be able to use their pendant alarms as they do already.
"Unfortunately, we are not able to continue to fund an additional service which is not actually required.”
