Councillors raise fears over future of care homes
Wednesday, 5th January 2011.
Horror stories of what has happened to some care homes which became privatised have raised town councillors' fears about what may happen in Haverhill.
A town council meeting next Tuesday has been cancelled so members can go to a meeting in Ipswich to register their concerns about the fate of Haverhill's care homes.
Suffolk County Council has flatly refused Haverhill Town Council's pleas for a representative to come to the town to explain the county's plans for care homes.
The county has put forward four options, including privatisation, sale or transfer and closure as part of their new strategy of divesting services to save money.
Town councillors are concerned about what will happen to Place Court, the care home run by the county council in Haverhill, and the future care of elderly in the town.
As a result of pressure, the county council has agreed to hold a meeting to consult town council representatives on the issue next Tuesday evening in Ipswich, and at last night's town council meeting members decided it was so important they should cancel their meeting that evening to let some members attend.
Town and county councillor Anne Gower said there had already been a meeting at Place Court for families and staff, to which town councillors had been invited.
But other members said that had not given them the opportunity to ask the sorts of questions they wanted to ask.
Town clerk Gordon Mussett pointed out they also represented those who would potentially be going into care in five, ten or 20 years' time.
Cllr Maureen Byrne said she used to represent staff at Cambridgeshire County Council's homes at the time they were privatised.
"I saw care homes deteriorate in two years from something wonderful to something I would not put my dog in," she said.
"I hope to God we do not see our care home in Haverhill privatised. I cannot imagine what it would be like."
Cllr Paul McManus said Haverhill was 'one of the nicest areas to get old in' because there were some lovely care homes available and they needed to make sure that continued.
A town council meeting next Tuesday has been cancelled so members can go to a meeting in Ipswich to register their concerns about the fate of Haverhill's care homes.
Suffolk County Council has flatly refused Haverhill Town Council's pleas for a representative to come to the town to explain the county's plans for care homes.
The county has put forward four options, including privatisation, sale or transfer and closure as part of their new strategy of divesting services to save money.
Town councillors are concerned about what will happen to Place Court, the care home run by the county council in Haverhill, and the future care of elderly in the town.
As a result of pressure, the county council has agreed to hold a meeting to consult town council representatives on the issue next Tuesday evening in Ipswich, and at last night's town council meeting members decided it was so important they should cancel their meeting that evening to let some members attend.
Town and county councillor Anne Gower said there had already been a meeting at Place Court for families and staff, to which town councillors had been invited.
But other members said that had not given them the opportunity to ask the sorts of questions they wanted to ask.
Town clerk Gordon Mussett pointed out they also represented those who would potentially be going into care in five, ten or 20 years' time.
Cllr Maureen Byrne said she used to represent staff at Cambridgeshire County Council's homes at the time they were privatised.
"I saw care homes deteriorate in two years from something wonderful to something I would not put my dog in," she said.
"I hope to God we do not see our care home in Haverhill privatised. I cannot imagine what it would be like."
Cllr Paul McManus said Haverhill was 'one of the nicest areas to get old in' because there were some lovely care homes available and they needed to make sure that continued.
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