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They have no right to sell ‘family silver'
• CAMDEN Council’s plans to sell off three of the borough’s elderly persons’ homes and build new care homes or sheltered homes on two sites in Camden are now at the final stages of the consultation process.
We are aware that some modernisation of existing facilities is necessary, but in comparison to a lot of privately owned and run homes, Camden’s are attractive and highly regarded.
We have no objection to plans to develop more extra care sheltered homes, but this should not be at the expense of much needed residential care home places both now and in the future. Unfortunately, the council appears set to jeopardise the future of residential care provision in the borough.
Camden Unison is extremely concerned at plans which purport to give a very open set of choices, but have in fact been skewed to point to the cheapest option. Whether residents want Camden to own the homes, run them, or to sell off the whole service appear as open choices, yet the documentation lists the costings for each option indicating that complete sell-off of the homes is the cheapest.
Camden’s own staff in the homes have years of valuable experience. Continuity of care, good training and support, and decent staffing levels are things Camden should be proud of. Likewise, people caring for vulnerable older residents should receive a decent wage and not face the prospect of worse pay and conditions in the private sector in the medium to longer term.
Branch Hill and St Margaret’s homes were bequeathed to Camden and many longstanding residents feel that no political administration of the council has the right to effectively ‘sell off the family silver’.
We would certainly like to know how Camden is planning to get around the legal restrictions so they can sell them and share the view that councillors of whatever political party should not assume the power to sell these precious assets.
The very limited consultation to date has certainly not provided any space for the views of future generations of potential residential home care users.
Unison is glad to see that the director of housing and adult social care, and Councillor Martin Davis are attending a public meeting at 6pm on April 30 at Queen’s Crescent Community Centre to answer questions on this matter.
PHOEBE WATKINS
Co-Convenor HASC, Camden UNISON
• THE Gospel Oak District Management Committee together with the Queen’s Crescent Community Association is hosting a meeting at 6pm on Monday April 30 in Queen’s Crescent Community Centre for the public about the future of plans for the care of the elderly.
We believe that it is important that local people have the opportunity to discuss local issues. Martin Davies, the Council Executive member for Adult Social Care and Health and Neil Litherland, director of housing and adult social care, will be present to explain their plans and answer questions. Of particular concern to old people and others in Gospel Oak will be the future of the Charlie Ratchford Centre and Wellesley Road Elderly Persons Home. We hope as many people as possible will come along
MICK FARRANT, Chair QCCA Ltd
LARRAINE REVAH, Gospel Oak DMC Chair
SALLY GIMSON, Vice Chair QCCA Ltd |
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