Will this affect Tony Reid on his salary from the NCC ? the answer is NO, he draws at lest 20k from the Tax payers of NorthumberlandCare-cuts mum `on a shower a week'
Feb 19 2007
By Daniel Cochlin And Dave Black, The Journal
A disabled mother says she will only be able to have one shower a week because budget cuts mean council chiefs are cutting the home care she receives.
Stroke victim Lyn Salvage, 41, says she needs to be looked after almost around-the-clock and currently has carers visiting her four times a day - a total of 33.5 hours a week.
But she says Northumberland County Council bosses have told her those hours are to be cut to 9.5 a week - and she will only be allowed to be helped into the shower once a week by carers.
Ms Salvage says she has also been told her bed clothing will only be changed once a fortnight, she will not be helped to cook and, as she owns a computer, she should start doing all her food-shopping online.
Because she has suffered a stroke and has to use a catheter, Ms Salvage, of Manley View, North Seaton, Ashington, is unable to shower herself or carry out most daily household tasks.
Elderly and disabled people across Northumberland face increases in the charges they pay for care services to help the county council tackle a potential £2m budget shortfall.
Ms Salvage, who has a son Christopher, 20, says she was told there was not enough cash for carers to make as many home visits as they do now.
She currently pays the maximum weekly charge for home care, which is set to rise from £45 to £60 in April.
Her care package was increased from 23 hours a week following a car accident last year and she expected a reduction back to that, but not down to just 9.5 hours.
She said yesterday: "I just felt I had to speak out against what is going on for the sake of the hundreds of others in the same position.
"It seems because the council have overspent, I am paying the price - and my care manager says there at least 50 people she knows about who are in the same boat. I have been told I am only entitled to an aided shower once a week, but I can't have one unaided, so what am I supposed to do?
"They have also taken all my shopping rights away, so instead of being taken around the supermarket I have been advised to shop on the internet. I wouldn't even know how to start.
"They are saying they have to prioritise critical care cases. But I can't even go to the toilet. My carer comes in morning, lunchtime and often twice after that and does a fantastic job. I am willing to see a solicitor and go to court if I have to, because I feel my human rights are being abused."
Last night Tony Reid, the county council's executive member for health and wellbeing, said: "We provide critical care packages to help people to continue living in their own home. Such support is classed as being vital to the individual's health and wellbeing, to maintaining personal and domestic cleanliness or to allowing the person to be independent.
"The needs of individuals can change over time, depending on their personal condition and care plans are reviewed regularly, usually every six months, to provide a package that meets their needs.
"Obviously, for reasons of confidentiality, we are not able to discuss an individual's situation.
"What we can say is that changes would only ever be made after a review of that person's needs and any reduction in support would only be made if it was felt that the person concerned did not require the level of support they were receiving.
"In addition to the support provided by the council the government also pays allowances, where eligible, to some individuals to allow them to gain extra assistance, therefore helping them to lead an independent life."
Feb 19 2007
By Daniel Cochlin And Dave Black, The Journal
A disabled mother says she will only be able to have one shower a week because budget cuts mean council chiefs are cutting the home care she receives.
Stroke victim Lyn Salvage, 41, says she needs to be looked after almost around-the-clock and currently has carers visiting her four times a day - a total of 33.5 hours a week.
But she says Northumberland County Council bosses have told her those hours are to be cut to 9.5 a week - and she will only be allowed to be helped into the shower once a week by carers.
Ms Salvage says she has also been told her bed clothing will only be changed once a fortnight, she will not be helped to cook and, as she owns a computer, she should start doing all her food-shopping online.
Because she has suffered a stroke and has to use a catheter, Ms Salvage, of Manley View, North Seaton, Ashington, is unable to shower herself or carry out most daily household tasks.
Elderly and disabled people across Northumberland face increases in the charges they pay for care services to help the county council tackle a potential £2m budget shortfall.
Ms Salvage, who has a son Christopher, 20, says she was told there was not enough cash for carers to make as many home visits as they do now.
She currently pays the maximum weekly charge for home care, which is set to rise from £45 to £60 in April.
Her care package was increased from 23 hours a week following a car accident last year and she expected a reduction back to that, but not down to just 9.5 hours.
She said yesterday: "I just felt I had to speak out against what is going on for the sake of the hundreds of others in the same position.
"It seems because the council have overspent, I am paying the price - and my care manager says there at least 50 people she knows about who are in the same boat. I have been told I am only entitled to an aided shower once a week, but I can't have one unaided, so what am I supposed to do?
"They have also taken all my shopping rights away, so instead of being taken around the supermarket I have been advised to shop on the internet. I wouldn't even know how to start.
"They are saying they have to prioritise critical care cases. But I can't even go to the toilet. My carer comes in morning, lunchtime and often twice after that and does a fantastic job. I am willing to see a solicitor and go to court if I have to, because I feel my human rights are being abused."
Last night Tony Reid, the county council's executive member for health and wellbeing, said: "We provide critical care packages to help people to continue living in their own home. Such support is classed as being vital to the individual's health and wellbeing, to maintaining personal and domestic cleanliness or to allowing the person to be independent.
"The needs of individuals can change over time, depending on their personal condition and care plans are reviewed regularly, usually every six months, to provide a package that meets their needs.
"Obviously, for reasons of confidentiality, we are not able to discuss an individual's situation.
"What we can say is that changes would only ever be made after a review of that person's needs and any reduction in support would only be made if it was felt that the person concerned did not require the level of support they were receiving.
"In addition to the support provided by the council the government also pays allowances, where eligible, to some individuals to allow them to gain extra assistance, therefore helping them to lead an independent life."
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