Anger Over Housing Move Leaflet

Two parents of disabled adults living in sheltered accommodation in Gwynedd have criticised review plans which could mean moving their children. They said they had not been consulted beforehand and heard about the proposed changes in an “impersonal” leaflet. Gwynedd Council said the Welsh Assembly Government had requested the review of the care provided to disabled people. The authority apologised for any “upset” caused by the leaflet and promised a full consultation.

The review affect homes at Pant yr Eithin, Harlech, Y Frondeg, Caernarfon; and Tan y Marian, Pwllheli.

Widow Mair Williams, 77, a former Arfon and Gwynedd councillor, said she did not want her daughter moved from the Y Frondeg home in Caernarfon.

“My daughter Hazel is 43 and is very disabled and needs room to run around which she gets at Frondeg, where she’s been for 27 years,” she said. “I think its incredibly unfair the way they sent us the leaflet telling us they wanted to move our children into the community without any consultation.”

A previous scheme to move residents was fought by parents five years ago.

Mrs Williams said as she got older she was worried about what would happen to Hazel if anything should happen to her.

“I was shocked when this leaflet landed in the post. There is no way Hazel can be moved to an ordinary house with carers in the community, her needs are too great,” she added.

Fellow parent Tom Moore said he was also upset about any plan to move his daughter Audrey, 48, from Y Frondeg where she has lived for 10 years.

“There has been no consultation whatsoever with the parents of the residents of these homes,” said Mr Moore.

Glyn Hughes, head of Gwynedd social services, said the review was needed because the Welsh Assembly Government wanted to look at the care provided to people with learning disabilities. He said the leaflet had been sent out as an initial briefing note.

“The aims of the service are clear – to provide community based care which encourage and promote independence – and working towards this goal inevitably has long-term implications for the current hostels,” added Mr Hughes

“We were anxious that some people did not receive detailed information before others and personal contact with all parties with an interest at precisely the same time would have been virtually impossible.”

“However, the council accepts that this has caused upset to some people by appearing impersonal,” he added.

Detailed work will now be carried out to find out the “needs and wishes” of individuals with a full report expected within six months.