Social care change left West Sussex woman ‘isolated’

A WOMAN says she feels isolated after a reassessment of her health has left her unable to attend an adult day centre.

Laraine Guntley, 59, of Woodfield Road, Northgate, has mental health problems, anxiety and depression and has attended Maidenbower Day Centre for 11 years. She took part in classes such as craft and needlework.

But since West Sussex County Council made changes to the rules regarding social care provision, Laraine believes people with moderate needs have suffered after the focus shifted to those perceived to have a greater need.

She said: “I had a reassessment in October and in the interview I was told I had four weeks until my leaving date at the centre.

“I have not been to the group since November and I’m not coping very well.

“I have had times where I have had to wallow and stay in bed but then get annoyed with myself because I cannot cope. I feel isolated.”

Laraine was assessed by the county council as still having moderate needs and was told the council would not provide social care for her any longer.

She said: “The group tried to support one another with each of our illnesses but they have taken it away from us. It’s affected us all.”

The county council introduced the changes in April 2011 to mak savings of £2.2million in 2011/12 and £4.3million in 2012/13.

The day centre changes are expected to save about £1.2million a year but £250,000 of this is being re-invested every year for additional day activities in the community and voluntary sector.

A county council spokesman said it had made changes to day service provision to respond to changing customer needs as well as the difficult budgetary situation.

He added: “People with only moderate care needs can instead access new prevention and wellbeing services, such as Prevention Assessment Teams, and for people with learning difficulties there are My Network and My Network Plus.

“My Network offers a variety of courses and activities as well as support with finance and banking, while My Network Plus offers housing support for adults with learning difficulties who live independently to help them cope with some of the practical demands of living in their own home.

“Some people can no longer use the Maidenbower Day Centre, we have helped them find alternative support services.

“This has included support from the Crawley Wellbeing Hub and the Prevention Assessment Team for that area.”

Laraine said she was told an alternative service for her would be Stepping Stones at Perryfield Road, Southgate.

But she said her mental anxiety and stress when using taxi’s and buses meant she would have to walk to the centre, which would prove difficult due to the osteoarthritis in her spine.

Margaret Guest, committee member for campaign Don’t Cut us Out, said Laraine’s story was common.

She said: “The county council said when they had to make these cuts no vulnerable person would be abandoned and that they would fine alternative services.

“What people have said to us is there are not the services around.

“There are issues in terms of cost as people have to pay for them and transport on top of that.

“Our view is the county council haven’t actually kept their promise that they would fund alternative affordable support.”