Care cuts will hit Alcester elderly people hard - Liz Lynne

6.22.40pm BST (GMT +0100) Fri 31st Mar 2006

Liz Lynne MEP and Cllr Susan Juned visit an elderly resident concerned about the cuts

Cuts in home care will hit elderly people hard, Liz Lynne, Lib Dem MEP for the West Midlands, warned today.

Liz Lynne joined Cllr Susan Juned and Cllr Nina Knapman to meet this morning with local people in Alcester who will be affected by the cuts, and visit residents from Jubilee Court sheltered accommodation.

Home care service contracts are being changed to larger companies to save money, but current clients are worried they will lose carers they know and trust.

Speaking after the visit, Liz Lynne, who is co-chair of the European Parliament's Intergroup on Age, said:

"Carers develop a very personal relationship with their clients over many years, so not surprisingly local residents are very concerned about the changes, which could lead to them having a different carer every day."

"A fair and sustainable system of funding the care of older people must be found. But we must also ensure we treat people with the dignity they deserve, and in a sympathetic, sensitive manner. The Liberal Democrats support the provision of free personal care for all elderly people."

Cllr Susan Juned said:

"The population who need care is increasing faster than the funding to care for them. Increasingly care is only available if needs are critical."

"Residents are rightly alarmed, and this is an issue we cannot afford to ignore. Caring for people at home where they feel safe keeps people out of hospital."

ENDS