Union to fight plan

The union which speaks for many care home staff has vowed to fight any moves towards privatisation.

Fears have been raised that the consultation on the county council's care home provisions will end in moves to privatise the homes which, it has been predicted, could lead to profiteering by private sector operators.

Ken Hussey, a services conditions officer for the Unison Essex County branch, said there was support for the union stance and widespread concern.

He said: "One of the concerns is that it is a jump to go private and I don't doubt that. But what is worse is that if Essex County Council is no longer providing these facilities, I believe the private sector will bump the prices up."

Mr Hussey was sceptical about the consultation exercise and said he believed there was a preference for privatisation.

He said: "They talk about consultation and they are consulting, but if they don't get the right answer, it will make no difference."

Mr Hussey said he believed the county council had a "moral duty" to provide care for the elderly.

He said: "We are going to try to get a campaign together to involve pensioners' groups and families and anyone who supports the idea that care should be carried out by county councils."

Mr Hussey said the county council review of services was part of a larger agenda which leaned towards the privatisation of services.

He said: "These people are hell-bent on privatisation. People don't understand that this is a political fight."

Difficult choice for care bosses

The review of the county council's residential care home provision is described as "a central aspect" in the 16-page Age Matters consultation paper.

The document proposes a joint strategy between the county council and the north and south Essex health authorities for providing high quality services for the elderly.

At its core is the idea of developing services which give elderly people the independence to live in their own homes for as long as they can safely stay there.

It would mean a major overhaul in the current provision and the introduction of a raft of new services - all adding up to spending more money which is not readily available.

Under the section headed "questions of priority and cost", the consultation document says: "Difficult choices will be needed to be made on what our priorities for older people services should be.

"Therefore a central aspect of this consultation must be a re-look at the directorate's older person's homes with a view to freeing up resources to re-invest in the priorities identified through the consultation process. In making these proposals, it is recognised that a further period of uncertainty for residents, family and staff will inevitably follow.

"However, this consultation paper argues the need to look at older people's services in the round and to consider the best configuration for older people's services in order to make the improvements we believe most people would regard as desirable."

25 homes under threat of closure

A total of 25 homes across the county could be affected by the proposals in the Age Matters consultation document:

Sweyne Court, Rayleigh

Goldenley, Benfleet

The Woodards, Basildon

Queens Park Court, Billericay

Eastham, South Woodham Ferrers

Winifred Dell House, Brentwood

Trippier House, Colchester

Greenways, Colchester

Scarletts, Colchester

Elm Tree Close, Frinton

Well House, Brightlingsea

Longfield, Maldon

Redbond Lodge, Dunmow

Sherrell House, Chigwell

Beechlands, Loughton

Okeley, Chelmsford

Park View, Witham

Foundry Court, Manningtree

Lime Court, Dovercourt

Poplars, Walton

Goldsmiths, Harlow

Ashlyn, Harlow

Hatherley, Saffron Walden

Stanley Wilson, Saffron Walden

Millard House, Braintree.

Printed copies of the Age Matters consultation document can be obtained by ringing 01245 434134.

It can also be found at www.essexcc.gov.uk/agematters on the county council's website.

Fact file

The number of people aged 65 and above in Essex was 247,900 in 1991. It is estimated to be 269,500 next year and 305,300 by 2011

The age group facing the greatest increase is people aged 80 plus. In 1991, there were 59,100 but estimates predict there will be 77,600 by next year and 92,700 by 2011

Essex County Council's social services department currently supports around 4,240 people aged 65 and above in residential and nursing placements - 1,137 in homes managed by Essex County Council and 3,103 are in placements with the independent and voluntary sector

Anger and concern at closure threat

Rochford district councillor Dave Ford was left angry and upset by the idea of closing residential care homes run by the county council.

Residents in his Rochford Roche ward have already vented their frustration at the proposed closure of Albert Jones Court.

A consultation exercise has been under way at the Doggetts Close residential care home since the county council decided on July 25 there were no successful bidders to take it over.

Now Mr Ford believes there is little prospect of Albert Jones residents being transferred to the only other county-run home in the Rochford district - Sweyne Court, Rayleigh - because its future looks uncertain under the Age Matters consultation proposals.

He said: "I think the county council should take responsibility for all its homes.

"There should be a choice for people between local authority homes and private homes. There is a move to keep people in their own homes but not everyone can be looked after in their own homes.

"You are looking at the quality of life for elderly people.

"Can the county guarantee quality of life for people by looking after them in their own homes?"

By Charlie Mellor

Reporter's e-mail: charlie.mellor@notes.newsquest.co.uk

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