Cuts Will Threaten Cheshire Elderly Care

The most vulnerable people in society will suffer under planned budget cuts, warned County Councillor Rod Fletcher this week.

He spoke out after learning that the proposed closure of three community care centres, including Santune House in Crewe, would save the authority £600,000 per year.

Services for older people are at risk, he claimed, as the authority seeks to make the financial savings agreed at the last budget-setting council.

advertisementHe said: “The closure of three much-valued community care centres will save a paltry £600,000 – yet there is a proposal I understand to reduce the Community Services budget by £14 million gross by 2011.

“The Liberal Democrat group has grave concerns about what these cuts will mean for older people’s services.

“They claim savings will come from income from the recent large increases in charging, reducing admissions to long stay care, reductions in the level of domiciliary support to older people and changing the balance of provision away from institutional care.

“It begs the question: If these cuts are imposed, just what services will remain for older people?”