Target hit-list has already been drawn up

Published: 20 January, 2011

• THE deepest, most serious cuts so far that target the weak and vulnerable in the borough should make us all very concerned.

A hit-list has already been drawn up and includes withdrawal of funding from vital front-line services, four day centres, five luncheon clubs, nine good neighbour schemes, and reductions in funding for 14 help and support organisations such as carers’ and mental health day services, housebound and a shopping service.   

The greatest impact will be on those living with chronic illness, mental and physical health problems, frail older people, elderly disabled who need and rely on help from these essential services.  

According to Camden’s own figures from their consultation on the adult social care savings programme, there will be £4.6m saving over a three-year period from these “changes” yet we have also been told it is going to cost Camden £3m to have these services delivered by the voluntary sector after the changes but no mention of the actual cost of arranging the transfer.   

The figures speak for themselves and urgent questions need to be asked. The wholesale dismantling of our adult social care system appears to have begun.  

If we begin to accept that these cuts are inevitable, then councils can impose anything they like further down the line. Once funding is gone then buildings and local support services will simply disappear.   No amount of promises to help the ‘more vulnerable’ and expensive hot air of consultation will bring them back.

E McNALLY, Broadhurst Gardens NW6