Elderly threaten revolt over day care charges

Now some elderly people and their carers say they will refuse to pay and stop going to the centres.

The move comes in the same month Northumberland County Council announced plans to close day centres it runs in Amble, Bedlington, Blyth, Ponteland, Prudhoe, Hexham and Haltwhistle.

One of those affected by the new charges is retired miner and stroke victim Samuel Goodwin, 75, pictured, of Pont Street, Ashington, who attends the town's day centre run by the St John Ambulance service twice a week.

He was assessed by Northumberland Care Trust last week and told he will have to pay £51 a week for the service.

Yesterday his son-in-law and main carer, Derek Hattle, 59, said: "Sammy could probably afford to pay this charge but he says he has worked all his life and paid his dues, so why should he have to start paying for it at 75? We don't mind making a small contribution but I feel charging that amount for a single person is absolutely disgusting.

"I was totally shocked at what he is being asked to pay, and that is before they have even looked at his savings. Sammy is adamant he is not going to pay this, and that is just going to put a bigger burden on me as his carer.

"I believe a lot of elderly people will drop out of going to day centres, not because they can't afford the charges but because of the principle."

Widow Jane Wood, 68, travels from her home in Wooler, where she lives alone, to meet friends once a week at the St John Ambulance day centre in Berwick.

Following assessment, she has now been told she will have to pay £31 per session, instead of the previous £2.50 she paid for her lunch.

She said: "I am seriously considering stopping going because it doesn't seem fair that just because I receive pension credit they are going to start taking some of it off me. I don't believe I will be the only person thinking of not going because of these charges."

Sheila Lambert, the St John Ambulance deputy county executive officer for Northumbria, said: "We are concerned for our day care clients and some have been in tears over this. There is very little we can do about it, however, as these are financial assessments done by the Care Trust.''

The latest in a series of public meetings on the day care centre closues will be held tonight at Haltwhistle Methodist Church.

There will be another one tomorrow at Amble Social Club, Bede Street; Thursday at The Salvation Army, Hartford Road West, Bedlington, and Friday at the Isabella Centre, Ogle Drive, Blyth. All will start at 6pm.

THE COUNCIL'S RESPONSE

Ending free day centre care was agreed by the new unitary county council earlier this year to make savings and help balance its first-ever budget

A council spokesman said the decision followed an earlier consultation about the 'unfairness' of home care users paying substantial weekly charges for their support while day care users were only paying for meals and transport.

"The charges will only be paid by people who can afford to pay it, and many people who are also getting home care will not have to pay extra because they will already be paying for that.

"We are also offering people advice to make sure that they are claiming all the benefits they are entitled to, which may leave some better off even after paying the new charges. The day care charges will be introduced in phases over the next few months.

"They are entirely separate from the consultation about day care centres, and will apply to people receiving any kind of daytime support.''