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‘A victory for common sense’
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| Cllr David Ashton: The outcome was positive for residents'. |
A DISABILITY charity has hailed a "victory for common sense" after the council reversed a controversial decision to withdraw care from some elderly and disabled residents.
Harrow Council decided to restrict care for elderly and disabled people to just those with "critical needs" on July 25 last year. However, the policy was never implemented because of a judicial review.
The decision was judged to be "unlawful" at the High Court on December 20 last year and on Tuesday the council announced that it now plans to carry on providing care to adults with "substantial needs".
Angela Dias, chief executive of Harrow Association for Disabled People, said: "I think this is a victory for common sense because there were so many people whose quality of life would have been really quite seriously affected by the decision.
"I think now the council actually realises it made the wrong decision."
Doreen Luff, a spokesman for Harrow MENCAP, said: "We absolutely welcome the council's decision and we just really hope it continues to invest in preventative services.
"It was a stressful time for service users and for their families especially."
The policy change will still need to be formally agreed by the cabinet on Thursday, May 15.
Councillor David Ashton, who took over as leader yesterday, refused to acknowledge the original decision was a mistake, saying it was financially necessary at the time.
He said the council survived despite never being able to make the cuts because it was "particularly efficient" at making savings.
He said: "I think it was a process which we had a responsibility to go through but I think the outcome was positive for residents and we are very pleased to be able to provide this service.
"Although we consulted on making this change, it was never done. People's services were never withdrawn."
Cllr Ashton said adult services officers had communicated with residents about the issue and said the policy u-turn had not come sooner because the council wanted to make sure it was the right thing to do.
Councillor Eric Silver, who was responsible for adult care when the decision was made, said: "This wasn't just done because we wanted it, this was a financial situation that the Government left us in.
"We had to do the best we could for the people who needed that care.
"Nobody would have gone without a proper reassessment of their needs. Nobody would have just said: you cannot have your care'."
Councillor Bill Stephenson, deputy leader of the Labour group on Harrow Council, rejected claims the decision was needed because of financial reasons.
He said: "They didn't implement it because of the judicial review and the budget balanced so the excuse that they were giving is totally unfounded.
"We would never have gone down that road and it didn't have to be."
He added: "We've been pressing for this behind the scenes for many months and at last they've seen the light."
Ms Dias said: "I think it was really scary for people. Even under substantial care people are not getting luxuries.
"For them to get that taken away made the difference between having some kind of control to having none."
The council u-turn has come as part of a three-year strategy which will see more residents receiving direct payments, a system which gives individual patients control over how money is spent on them.
The council has said it will work in partnership with disability charities.
Were you affected by the decision? Tell us by leaving a comment below.
7:00am Friday 9th May 2008
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CommentPosted by: C on 8:04am Fri 9 May 08
"substantial needs" still excludes a hell of a lot of people. Those people who can still wash and feed themselves are still being paid benefits (from central gvt) to sit at home and twiddle their thumbs.
It's a popular notion that the youth of today are bored. So are disabled adults.
"substantial needs" still excludes a hell of a lot of people. Those people who can still wash and feed themselves are still being paid benefits (from central gvt) to sit at home and twiddle their thumbs.
It's a popular notion that the youth of today are bored. So are disabled adults.
Posted by: Conad, Harrow on 12:50pm Fri 9 May 08
Mr Ashton has a short memory. The change was not implemented because the Council agreed not to, pending the High Court challenge. Otherwise it would have faced injunction proceedings. It could not implement it after the challenge because the policy was declared unlawful.The Council was then to consider how the how policy could be made lawful - that is compliant with the Disability Discimination Act - but obviously has concluded that it cannot be. So it has not implemented it. Had the challenge not been brought, the decision would have been implemented and some of the most disadvantaged people in Harrow would have suffered.
Mr Ashton has a short memory. The change was not implemented because the Council agreed not to, pending the High Court challenge. Otherwise it would have faced injunction proceedings. It could not implement it after the challenge because the policy was declared unlawful.The Council was then to consider how the how policy could be made lawful - that is compliant with the Disability Discimination Act - but obviously has concluded that it cannot be. So it has not implemented it. Had the challenge not been brought, the decision would have been implemented and some of the most disadvantaged people in Harrow would have suffered.
Posted by: Elin, Harrow on 10:16pm Fri 9 May 08
Would you please publish the explanation of the other 2 criteria levels, ie Moderate and Low?
The people who are assessed at these levels still need help. You've guessed it , Care in Community is Care by Community!
The battle isn't over yet, A scheme called Transformation is being launched at Cabinet on 15th May. Those assessed as having critical & substantial needs will be expected to try & use Direct Payments and Self Directed Care Schemes...yes, another assessment process for this!
Would you please publish the explanation of the other 2 criteria levels, ie Moderate and Low?
The people who are assessed at these levels still need help. You've guessed it , Care in Community is Care by Community!
The battle isn't over yet, A scheme called Transformation is being launched at Cabinet on 15th May. Those assessed as having critical & substantial needs will be expected to try & use Direct Payments and Self Directed Care Schemes...yes, another assessment process for this!
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