In January 2011 Wirral Borough Council informed all users of respite services that it will close five council-run respite homes, by the end of March 2011.
The homes provide respite for older people, people with learning disabilities, mental health issues and crisis situations. They give carers an essential break.
At the end of 2010 Wirral Borough Council asked over 311,000 residents about their plans for Wirral’s future.
Less than 1% agreed with the recommendation that ‘the council should stop directly providing respite and residential care services and instead buy them in at the same quality but a lower cost from the private and voluntary sector and others’.
This is no mandate for action that could have a real and lasting effect on the most vulnerable members of our community, and their families.
The council are also introducing personal assessments and budgets for these vulnerable people and have stated that as a consequence “the future of traditional Day Care Centres is extremely uncertain”.
“A society is judged by its treatment of its weakest and most vulnerable members” – United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon.

Started by: Brian Donaldson

This ePetition ran from 07/02/2011 to 28/02/2011 and has now finished.