MS victim's distress at care service plan (From Gazette Series)

MS victim's distress at care service plan

cd?cu4DEN man with multiple sclerosis says he feels upset and abused after new home care arrangements were suddenly imposed without consultation.

Barry Dawes, 60, of Lambsdowne, Cam, says that he and other more vulnerable people are being treated by Gloucestershire County Council as numbers instead of individuals.

The Home Care Service has introduced pairs of carers to cater for people who need extra attention, such as being lifted out of bed.

However, people in receipt of care were given just a week to get used to the idea that they would have different carers visiting.

Mr Dawes said: "I really don't want to change carers. I am absolutely devastated and heartbroken.

"I have the same people coming to see me for 12 days a fortnight and I have built up a relationship with them. Somebody else won't really know what to do."

Mr Dawes was also deeply unhappy at the way the decision had been announced at the last minute.

The letter he and other care users received explained that anyone with concerns about the change could contact the Home Care team.

But Mr Dawes said many of the people in need of the most attention were not in a position to make their concerns known.

He added: "At least I am aware of what is going on - many people affected by this have Alzheimer's or dementia and they can't speak up about this."

Mr Dawes and his wife Virginia explained that many of the carers themselves were distressed about the changes.

The Gazette has also received copies of five letters to the Home Care Service from people affected by the decision, describing themselves as feeling abused and disillusioned and referring to the decision as callous and utterly cavalier.

In written statement to the Gazette the county council said this week that the change had been introduced to create a more prompt service.

Spokeswoman Nicola Davies wrote: "The new system is more cost effective and allows carers to car share, which will cut journey times and we hope will reduce waiting times as a result. The aim is to be more responsive to the people's needs.

"We apologise for the short notice given to those who currently receive care. We were unable to provide the notice we would have liked and our priority was to get the service up and running as quickly as possible in order to benefit those who need it most."

Anyone with concerns relating to the changes can contact Gloucestershire County Council 01452 425000.