The mother of a woman with learning difficulties has slammed Southend council plans to cut support services for carers.
Worrying - Toni Mann, who at 66 still cares full-time for her 38-year-old daughter Julie is shocked at plans to cut respite care Picture: STEVE O'CONNELL
Toni Mann, 66, of Bellevue Road, Southend, is a full-time carer for daughter Julie, 38.
She discovered respite care services were going to be cut through her position as a parents' representative with pressure group Fulfilling Lives.
The worried mum convinced the council to write a letter last week to all the parents affected by the planned cutback on the scheme, which takes short-term care of disabled people to allow their full-time carers a rest.
Mrs Mann said: "It basically said cuts are on their way and you'd better get used to it. However, nobody knows what these changes are going to be."
The letter stated the council would not extend its contract with private care home Gowlands, in Sutton Road, Southend, where many carers currently leave their charges.
Respite beds at council-run Burland House, in Southchurch Road, Southend, and Shellford, off West Road, Westcliff, had also been halved.
A council spokeswoman admitted respite care was under review, in line with the Government's Fair Access to Care Services initiative.
She said carers could expect another letter soon explaining the reforms in more detail.
Published Thursday June 17, 2004
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