Care services hit out over council chiefs’ summit snub

ORGANISERS of a conference on care services have criticised the city council for snubbing the event. Three charities have come together to call the summit later this month in the Capital and were hoping for senior members of the health and social care department to turn up.

But they have said, despite numerous invitations being sent, the only representative to confirm is Green councillor Maggie Chapman, despite the event being held at the City Chambers.

The Who Really Gets To Choose event has been organised by city charity ECAS, the Learning Disability Alliance Scotland and the Association of Real Change.

Ian Hood, LDAS’s co-ordinator, said: “We wanted to make sure that senior staff and councillors from the health and social care committee had a chance to talk to those who use services about what their worries are.

“However, the convener, Councillor Paul Edie, sent us a short reply saying neither he nor his deputy would be attending. When we turned to senior managers they were either on holiday or too busy to speak to us.

“I would have though health and social care managers would have welcomed the chance to hear what service users have to say on this topic.”

Some places still remain for the conference on April 15 at the City Chambers. To book a place at the April 15 event, call 0131-663 4444.